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No. 21 Vol. 12
www.mypaperonline.com • 973-809-4784 December 2025
Denville Resident Assists New Jersey Woman in Need of Kidney Transplant
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By Evan Wechman hen Maria Power of Clark, New Jersey got married to the love of her life Michael seven years ago, things were looking great. Power was working as a successful chef in Manhattan, and Michael, a schoolteacher in Jersey City were making plans to start a family and spend as much of their free time together as possible. Unfortunately, their plans changed on the night of January 17, 2020, when she started feeling very ill. ”I’d been working as a chef for the past eight years in New York City,” Power said. “So, January 17, that night, I think it was a Friday, I started feeling some swelling and some pain in my legs. So, I called out of work, went to the doctor, we did some blood work, and a few hours later, the doctor called me back and told me to rush to the ER, because there’s some kidney failure that’s showing up in the blood work. My nephrologist showed up at the ER, we did more tests and came to find out I was at end stage kidney failure and that dialysis was needed in my life.” For Power, since that night she has tried to stay as hopeful as possible while continuing to pray that a kind-hearted person would come forward to donate a kidney to her so she and her husband can do all the things they initially planned. “We just wanted to start a life together and make a family and travel together and be like any other husband and wife doing happy things together instead of me, being cooked up at dialysis three times a week,” Power said. For Power, this struggle has been a very isolating experience. She has been unable to continue working due to her health and most of her family, including her parents live in the Philippines. Her husband Michael whom she describes as “her rock,” has kept her hopeful and strong during this tough time. “Cooking is my passion,” Power said. “Serving food to people and seeing them react to what I made, is what I would love to go back to, and also traveling would also be a big part because I’m Filipino, and I would want my husband to experience the Philippines for once, and meet my extended family as well.” However, there has been a silver lining. About four years ago Power heard on the news about Denville resident Donna Tissot who has dedicated her life to finding kidney donors for those needing such help. Power immediately reached out and the two have been searching for a donor since that time. Tissot has been publicizing Power’s plight on social media outlets and billboards across New Jersey in the hopes of somebody coming forward to be a hero for Power and her husband. According to Tissot, “Maria is a chef by trade and would love to go back to work doing what she does best which is
Michael and Maria Power
cooking. Eventually, her and her husband Michael would love to settle down in the hopes of starting a family. Maria’s hope isn’t just wishful thinking, it’s a powerful emotional force that gives her life meaning. So, in essence to have the ability to give someone back their health is the most amazing and powerful thing you can ever do.” Despite the optimism that Power and Tissot continue to have, it’s critical that whoever comes forward is serious about the procedure. Power has already had two people who initially said they would be a donor, change their mind a few weeks later. She urges those who are on the fence to come forward, but to do the necessary research to make sure this is something they want to do. Most importantly, Maria wants those who are hesitant about being a donor to know they can live a healthy life with one kidney, and that her life would be saved by such a kind individual. Currently, Maria goes three times a week to her dialysis sessions. Initially, she was on dialysis at home, but there were complications. She is grateful for all the support she has received from Tissot and the warm staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. “I was lucky enough to start at-home dialysis right before the pandemic started and have been waiting on a miracle ever since. I look forward to the day when I can go back to work and start my life again with my husband,” Power said. Her blood type is O positive, but it doesn’t matter the blood type of the donor because the hospital participates in the paired exchange program. For more information, please fill out the donor referral form, and include you are donating for Maria Power. https://cbmclivingdonor.org/