RJ Puma, left, with Deirdre O’ Mara and Pat Quinn
The legend from McLean Needs a Kidney Transplant
By Dan Murphy
A man who gave so much to the Yonkers community he and his family called home for generations is now asking for our help. RJ Puma, who was a fixture in the McLean Avenue community for decades- as the owner operator of his family’s bakery, Anna Artuso Pastry Shop on McLean, as President of the McLean Avenue Merchants Association, and Co-Chair of the Yonkers Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, needs a kidney transplant and is searching for matching donors. He also has a GoFundMe Page, (gofund.me/edb06f93) to raise much-needed funds to offset medical costs and an extended leave from work.
RJ headed to Florida a few years ago, to take a position with Disney. His Yonkers family pastry shop is now closed, but for the thousands of customers and community members both he and his family touched over many decades this is a chance to reciprocate kindness and generosity and say -“God Bless”.
On May 8, Puma posted on Facebook, “Dear friends and family, I’ve been dreading making this post for some time now. Main reason is, I don’t like asking for help, unless I really need it. Well, I need it.”
“For those friends on here who don’t know, I’ve been living with Chronic Kidney Disease for some time now. I was born with only one kidney, and the one that I have has declined rapidly over the past few years. Even though I’m at stage 5 CKD. Thankfully I haven’t needed dialysis just yet, but it’s coming, sooner rather than later.”
“The ultimate goal here is to survive and continue living, and the only way that happens is with a kidney transplant. I’m now on donor lists in a few hospitals here in Florida.”
“However, it could take up to 2-6 years to receive one and with me being at stage 5 with only 12% of my one kidney functioning, the odds aren’t great.”
“Which brings me to my ask, the big favor. If you are at all interested in seeing if you are a good match as a living donor to help expedite this process and get me on the road to healing faster and living longer, here is the link.” (https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/living-kidney-donation?).
“What does being a donor entail? Tons of paperwork, cancer screenings, other tests and visits with your PHP and then of course, major surgery. From what I’ve looked at, my health insurance would cover the donor.”
RJ Puma, with Mayor Mike Spano and his family and friends at street renaming
“Please note, UPDATE: any blood type is fine (they will be able to match multiple donors and patients), you need to be in good health, a non-smoker, heart healthy and even age is taken into consideration. They are able to match multiple patients at a time if you’re not a perfect match for me. Meaning your kidney would go to another patient, whose donor is a perfect match for me. Hope that makes sense.”
“I am keeping very optimistic and continuing doing the things I love. While I do have my moments of weakness, they don’t last too long. For those of you who truly know me, I welcome new adventures and change. I got this, just need a little help.”
“If it wasn’t as bad as it is, I would not be putting this out on social media. I appreciate those of you who took the time to read this all the way through and those of you who are interested in testing to be a donor. There is no pressure here at all, just covering all my bases. Thank you all. Also, if you could please share this post. You never know where a miracle will come from. If interested, please follow the link, it answers most questions.”
RJ updated all of us with a post last week. “Just got the letter: I’ve been approved for a kidney transplant!”
“Your support and kind messages have been amazing and overwhelming. Today, a coworker I’ve known for years, made me tear up over the beautiful words she spoke about me. I know how blessed I am to have all of you supporting and praying for me.”
“If you can, anything at all, help with bills and life expenses, which are coming up faster than expected, the GoFundMe is below. I appreciate everything you’ve done, and your prayers mean a lot to me.”
RJ has already identified a few potential donor matches, but there are numerous tests and administrative tasks that has have to happen first. When a donor match is confirmed and surgery is scheduled, RJ will face dozens of immune-suppressor medications and a long recovery ahead. He’ll be out of work for quite some time and the financial costs will be significant.
RJ Puma with Yonkers Police Officer Kayla Maher
This gives us time to help. There are discussions about holding a community fundraiser, or golf outing, to help contribute to the mounting medical costs. Let’s make sure that everyone in Yonkers knows about RJ’s need for our help.
This Yonkers treasure has always been the one people have gone to for assistance and he has gone above and beyond for our community. If you can support him with a donation, please do. He also needs all our Prayers. He deserves nothing less.
If you are a serious donor, you must put in his full name, Ralph J Puma, to register. RJ’s insurer will cover the costs for the donor, and his gofundme will assist in travel expenses.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Co-Chair Deirdre O’ Mara said, “RJ has been a great community leader, from his leadership of MAMA & the growth of the Fall Festival under his guidance to bringing the parade to Mclean Ave in 2012. The neighborhood owes him a debt of gratitude & I will always be grateful to him for getting me involved in the Mclean Ave Community and for his friendship. May God bless his on this journey.”-Deirdre O’ Mara
“RJ has been a cornerstone of the Yonkers community for decades, dedicating his life to uplifting those around him,” said Taryn Duffy, vice president of public affairs at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “His tireless efforts have brought positive change and hope to countless lives. Now, as he faces his own challenges, it’s our turn to rally behind RJ. Together, we can repay his kindness and ensure he receives the support he deserves. Let’s stand united in gratitude for his selfless contributions and extend a helping hand to our friend and former neighbor.”
