I am a 60 year old African America male living in Buffalo, New York in need of a kidney transplant. I am not yet on dialysis but have only 6% use of my kidney functions. My blood type is O.

I have been married to my wife Charlotte, for 38 years and have two children. Karyn is 35 years old and Vernon is 37 years old. I have seven grandchildren who are wonderful and a reason to wake up each day.

I retired from the Buffalo Board of Education, due to failing health after thirty years during which time I had many phenominal years working with students. My wife is also a recent retiree also from the Board of Education after 38 years.

I was very active in the community working with young athletes and used baskeball as a vehicle for them not only to expand their educational knowledge but also to give young men and women the opportunity to develop their skills and be selected by many major colleges and Universities. Over the last thirty years I was
instrumental in starting tournaments and sponsoring traveling teams that displayed their talent to scouts and coaches from across the country.

I am a Christian man who believes in strong family ties and was able to create a loving nurturing environment
not only for my family but those who were "inherited" along the way through my connection with my employment and "on the court teachings." Some of these young men reached professional status including Clifford Robinson formerly of the Portland Trailblazers and currently of the New Jersey Nets; also Mike Smrek formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers who earned two championship rings playing along side Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar; Willie "Hutch" Jones formerly of the San Diego Clippers and many men who enjoyed professional careers abroad. Over 135 of players that I tutored received scholarships to attend college. Many of the young men manage to still keep in touch and are thankful for the training they received even though they have their own families and are spread throughout the US.

I also love music and have been performing for over 40 years throughout WNY and Canada and recently some limited Department of Defense touring to entertain the troops abroad. I love to sing and also play piano and still perform for many private and public affairs whenever my health permits and I also sing in my church choir. One of the highlights of my career was performing for the 1996 Presidential candidates for an audience of 15,000 people and televised live on CNN across the world.

I love people and will continue to be thankful for each and every day that I can wake up and count my blessings!