Christopher Greco, Parking Manager at Malloy's Waterfront Marina, Launches Fundraising Drive To Help Cover Medical Expenses

Christopher Greco, a resident of Manorville, is not the kind of person to look for a handout.

The manager of the parking lot and security for Malloy’s Waterfront Marina since 1989, Greco also ran a valet parking business that served clients as diverse as the American Hotel in Sag Harbor to the IGA in Montauk.

But these days, Greco is not working much. The 54-year-old husband and father, who already had one kidney transplant five years ago — his wife Sherri being the donor — is once again suffering from kidney failure.

Even though he has medical insurance, the bills have begun to pile up, leaving Greco in jeopardy of losing both his car and home.

“I am reaching out to humbly share my story and seek support for the overwhelming financial challenges I am facing due to my extensive medical history,” Greco wrote on the GoFundMe page he recently launched. “My journey began as a child when I was diagnosed with kidney disease, which doctors warned would eventually require a transplant.”

Greco inherited kidney disease from his mother’s side of the family, and doctors warned them he would eventually need a kidney transplant. His two brothers also inherited the disease. One has also received a transplant and the other is waiting for a donor.

In 2017, Greco was put on the waiting list. Two dozen donors came forward, but all were rejected. Finally, his wife proved to be a match, and the transplant surgery was performed in 2019.

Although the transplant at first seemed promising, an almost endless series of side effects followed, from a hernia caused by the kidney surgery and colorectal surgery to correct an intestinal blockage. Greco, who was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, said he is currently on 31 different prescription medications with no sign of that number being reduced.

His health took another major downturn in 2023 when his body began to reject the transplanted kidney, leading doctors to tell him he would need another transplant.

“Throughout this time, the costs of medications, treatments, follow-up appointments, co-payments, insurance denials, and travel expenses have added up, while time lost from work has made it even harder to manage and created an unbearable financial strain,” Greco wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Greco has only asked for $35,000, saying that he didn’t feel comfortable asking for more than that. To date, his fund drive has only netted $1,300.

Rob Wiesenthal, who met Greco at the marina, is trying to spread the word about Greco’s plight, citing his self-reliance and good demeanor.

Greco said he tries to maintain a positive outlook. “This is not a fun journey,” he said, “but I believe my hardships and trials will help someone else get through something difficult that they are going through.”

But some days, Greco said, the difficulties are more than he can bear. Such was the case on Friday when Cody, his 12-year-old Labradoodle, died of — what else? — kidney failure.

Those who would like to donate to Greco’s expenses can go to “Support Christopher’s Kidney Transplant Journey” at gofundme.com.