Fort Schuyler Magazine Fall 2021

In dire need of a kidney, Brett Ashley ’81 seeks a donor who like Roger Bing ’03, compassionately donated his kidney to save a life.

Think you can’t do it? Roger Bing ’03 has shown otherwise. Roger’s story is one of true compassion and heroism. Roger has been chartering his boat out for years on the South Shore of Long Island. One of his occasional customers is Walter, a local doctor and the nephew of one of his grandfather’s best friends. They have fished together several times on Roger’s boat Bingo in Freeport, NY. Over the past few years, they got to know each other. One day while out fluke fishing with Walter, Roger is made aware through a mutual acquaintance that Walter’s wife is sick and needs a kidney. After discussing it over with his wife, Roger decides to donate his. “The process was straightforward, but lengthy” Roger said. After determining that Roger was a match, the day came to donate. Not a long procedure, Roger was in and out in a matter of hours and home within a day. concerns over loss of wages, future illness or kidney need, complications, etc. have all been addressed by the National Kidney Foundation. Anyone who donates a kidney is immediately placed at the top of the recipient list later in life should they find themselves in need. If there are any complications at any time, the recipient’s insurance will take care of the donor in full. Wages will be paid up to a certain point for those out of work. Most importantly, if the donor is not a match for their desired recipient, but decide to donate, their recipient is moved to the Roger and Brett describe the process of donating a kidney as relatively easy. The

top of the list for the next available matching kidney. The recent COVID pandemic has significantly decreased the pool of available donors, with many unwilling or unable to donate as in the past. Roger and Brett were two ships passing in the night on their voyage. Right now, another “Roger” is needed to help Brett in his time of need. Brett can be reached at brettbashley@ gmail.com or 516-455-2168.

Roger Bing Roge Bing ‘03 with his recipient Elisa.

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