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| Joe Senatore |
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Ignatius (Joe) Senatore waited seven years to receive a new heart. After suffering a serious heart attack in 1987, his doctors placed him on the organ transplant waiting list in 1992. But, because of the critical shortage of organ donors, it was only on May 19, 1999 that he had his heart transplant at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. Joe, a former M.I.S. Director, now has time to enjoy his new life, spending it with his wife Regina, his 21-year-old daughter Christine, and 18-year-old son Joseph.
Joe's donor was 26-year-old Paul Grammatico, Jr. Paul, a successful stockbroker, was declared brain dead in May 1999, following a car crash in which he was the victim of a drunk driver. His parents, Claudia and Paul, gave his heart, kidneys, liver, a lung, skin and bone. Claudia and Paul believe that organ donation teaches us that "the wise do not bury treasure."
In loving memory of Paul, Claudia wrote a song "The Gift of Life." And to further honor their son, Claudia and Paul established the Paul Grammatico Memorial Fund to assist St. Mary's Children and Family Services on Long Island.
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