AMATO NEEDS A LIVING KIDNEY DONOR
Living kidney donation is safe. You only need one healthy kidney to live a full life.
Surgery is minimally invasive, recovery is short, and all medical costs are covered by the recipient’s insurance.
Amato’s Blood Type Is O+
Contact Us
If you’d like to get in touch, volunteer, or learn more about the donation process, please fill out the form below. Your information will remain confidential and will be used only to respond to your inquiry.
HOW TO BEGIN THE LIVING KIDNEY DONOR EVALUATION PROCESS
If you are interested in being evaluated as a potential living kidney donor for Amato Berardi, please follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Contact Jennie Roggio, Living Kidney Donor Transplant Coordinator at Virtua Health. Phone: 856-796-9376
STEP 2: State Your Donation Intent: When you speak with Jennie, state that you would like to begin testing to be considered as a kidney donor for: Recipient: Amato Berardi, Date of Birth: October 14, 1958
STEP 3: Learn About the Evaluation Process: Jennie will walk you through the evaluation steps required for living donor consideration and answer any questions you may have.
To be considered as a living kidney donor, you must:
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Be 18 years of age or older
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Be in good overall physical and mental health
TRANSPLANT TEAM CONTACTS
Transplant Physician: Dr. Caroline Rochan — 856-796-9370
Transplant Coordinator: Jennifer Spencer — 856-796-9380
AMATO’S STORY
Amato Berardi, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather from Philadelphia, is facing one of the hardest battles of his life — kidney failure. Dialysis keeps him alive, but it drains his energy and limits his ability to live fully. Finding a living kidney donor would restore his health and give him the chance to spend more time with the people he loves most.
In 2020, Amato’s kidneys failed due to end-stage renal disease. After a long wait, he received a lifesaving kidney transplant in 2021 — a gift that renewed his strength and gave him precious years with his family. Sadly, that transplanted kidney is now failing due to the BK virus, and he has returned to dialysis while urgently seeking another transplant. His greatest motivation to keep going is his 11-year-old granddaughter, Maria Cristina.
Amato’s life has been defined by dedication and service — as a successful businessman, co-founder of the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia, and former Member of the Parliament of Italy representing Italian Americans across North and Central America. He has also raised funds for cancer research through the St. Anthony Society and has been honored as a Humanitarian by both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia. In 2015, he received the National Italian American Foundation’s Award for Leadership and Service.
On October 14, 2025, Amato will celebrate his 67th birthday — a milestone he hopes to mark with the renewed health that only another transplant can bring.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Even if you’re not able to be a donor, you can help share his story. Tell family, friends, and community groups about Amato’s need! Every share and every conversation helps bring Amato closer to finding his match.
