On friendship and giving the gift of life

Community invited to support organ donor, recipient Friday

Kristie Kennedy will give Paul Lucuk one of her kidneys May 17. Patricia Villers / Register

 
Everyone can relate to having neighbors, friends, and family.

But how many of us can relate to having a friend willing to give us the gift of life?

I met two lifelong Valley residents Tuesday who clearly have experienced true friendship.
Paul Lucuk, 51, of Ansonia needs a kidney. Derby resident Kristie Kennedy, 40, who until recently lived across the street from Lucuk, is going to give him one of hers.


Lucuk and Kennedy will have their surgeries May 17 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Neither of them has siblings, but Lucuk says he now has a "little sister."

Kennedy said she believes God has brought them together. I was inspired by her generosity of spirit, and willingness to go through so much to help her friend.

A ziti dinner will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday at St. Sebastian Hall, 86 Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia "to honor Kristie," Lucuk's wife, Denise Lucuk, said, and to offer both of them support. Tickets are $20.

I wish all the best to these two wonderful people as they recuperate from their life-changing surgeries.