Peter DiGennaro, Kidney Advocate, Loses Battle at 40

NORTH CAPE MAY – Funeral services were held for Peter T. DiGennaro, 40, who passed away March 22 from complications due to kidney disease. A memorial gathering took place March 27 at the lower church of St. Anne’s Church, 2328 Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia. A service followed in the upper church.
DiGennaro, featured here in a March 4 front page story , wanted to “put a face on kidney disease” and had recently participated in the American Kidney Fund’s Kidney Action Day on Capitol Hill . He was one of a dozen patient advocates from across the nation who met with local representatives, advocating for the passage of The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act.
“I was so sad to hear the news about Pete,” said Tamara Ruggiero, vice president of public affairs, American Kidney Fund. “He was such a joy to get to know and was dedicated to making a difference.
“He was so enthusiastic during Kidney Action Day, so passionate,” she added. “He made a real impact with everyone he met with during the day. He was such a great spokesperson for kidney disease, he really made a difference.”
Even in death, his father Peter A. DiGennaro, Sr. said his son wanted to make a difference and help others. “He was an organ donor in his death, which is sort of ironic because he didn’t have any kidneys. He donated his eyes, heart, heart valves, veins and skin. He always wanted to help others.”
DiGennaro was diagnosed with a streptococcal infection at age 12, which eventually led to kidney disease. He had hoped to join the Navy, but had to begin dialysis just before his 21st birthday.
After almost nine years on dialysis and after having a kidney transplant that lasted 13 years, he was back on dialysis, receiving treatments three times a week for four and a half hours each time. He was also waiting for another kidney transplant.
According to his father, DiGennaro had hernia surgery March 18, after undergoing dialysis. “He had to have the hernia taken care of because he was on the kidney transplant list, and you just never know when one would come available. He needed to make sure he was healthy to be on the list, and was back home and doing good. This was so sudden.”
DiGennaro said he will continue his son’s legacy of kidney awareness. “As Pete once said, you can’t tell if someone has kidney disease because there are no outward signs. He was just an amazing guy, always with a smile and such a jokester, so it was hard to tell that he was sick. If you didn’t know Pete, you couldn’t tell. He made sure he was active in his son’s life, and was always doing for others.”
DiGennaro’s son, Chase, 16, will continue living in Lower Township with his grandfather and his grandfather’s wife, Carleen. DiGennaro is also survived by a sister, Kathleen; brother, Christopher; nieces Brooklyn and Breanna, and nephew Brendan.
Miracle Fitness, Rio Grande, is having a benefit March 28 for Chase during its 8:30 a.m. Fight Fit boot camp. If one is a member of the gym, the class will be free with donations accepted. Otherwise, a $10 donation will be accepted during the class for non-members.
DiGennaro was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as financial secretary. His body was cremated and the family plans to honor his wishes to have his ashes distributed over the ocean, according to his father.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.