WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A kidney donation to a 15-year-old Long Island girl ultimately snowballed to a total of seven people giving the life-saving organ to others in need.
The inspiring story all began with Julia Mulroy, from West Islip, who desperately needed a kidney in June 2019.
Lisa Calla's son attended the same school as Julia. When she found out, she immediately wanted to help. As it happens, she was a perfect match.
"We call it share your spare, because we truly only need one," Calla said after her donation led to a half-dozen more over the past few years.
Calla's husband, Guy Calla, soon donated his kidney to a stranger. A friend in Westchester found out and donated his kidney, as well.
The wave of generosity continued with Julia's parents, Shannon and John Mulroy, who both donated their kidneys to strangers.
"I said to my husband I really want to donate my kidney—it's burning inside me," Shannon Mulroy said. "He looked at me and he said, 'Well, so do I.'"
"I ended up getting approved first," she said. Shannon donated her kidney in 2021 and John donated his in 2022.
Rob Modica, of Bay Shore, also donated a kidney in April 2022 when he learned of Julia's story by chance. He got a call from a friend asking if someone could use his boat slip. It turned out that person was John Mulroy.
"I said, 'You know what, why do I have to wait for someone I know to need a kidney if I could save somebody now?'" Modica said.
"The only regret I have, honestly, is that I didn't have another one to donate," he said.
Modica told another person and that person donated to a friend.
Six of the seven donors live in western Suffolk County. Five of them gave life to total strangers.
"I hope our stories will help more people consider donation," Calla said.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, one healthy kidney can work as well as two, and most people who donate a kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems.
"There was absolutely no change whatsoever in my health," Shannon Mulroy said.
"Not only mentally, but physically, I felt terrific," Modica said of his donation.
