A staff member at Rydal Park, a retirement community in Abington, told Glenside Local that Philip Fox, a beloved resident, currently has 8 percent kidney function (considered End Stage Renal Failure) and is in need of a live kidney transplant.

A website has been launched to assist in the search for a donor.

According to the website, Fox has been battling kidney disease since adolescence and has been able to mitigate its progression through strict adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

“I want to continue living life and contributing to my senior community and the residents as long as I can. Having a live kidney will allow me to maintain my quality of life for more years,” Fox wrote. “I also would be able to participate in many of the activities offered where I live without the disruptions that dialysis can impose. It is important for me to continue an exercise regimen as well.”

Fox noted that he has two nephews who are conducting cancer research.

“I very much want to follow their careers and to keep in touch with their children for as long as I can,” Fox wrote. “Finding that live kidney will enable me to accomplish these goals.”

The following is excerpted from a memo circulated through the Rydal Park community through their in-house newsletter:

Phil is involved in contributing to the life here at Rydal Park. He is a floor rep for residents council, has planned and led trips to various venues for the trip committee, and strives always to volunteer and help his fellow residents. He also led a team of 14 residents for three years in a contest which measured the number of minutes each walked, hiked, swam, or used an elliptical or treadmill, and acted in a readers’ theater event.

Receiving a live donor kidney will allow Phil to keep contributing to Rydal Park. He could participate in activities without the disruptions that dialysis can impose. He also could keep building his relationship with his two nephews who are conducting important research in curing cancers.

How can you help? Share Phil’s story with your family and friends. That help will increase the number of people who may consider kidney donation. You can also get screened to become a kidney donor with the National Kidney Registry (NKR), an easy process where potential donors have access to the NKR’s nationwide donor support network.

To begin the donor screening process or for more information about Mr. Fox’s situation, you can click here.

For more on Rydal Park, located at 1515 The Fairway, you can click here.

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