New Bedford Resident Seeks Kidney Donor After Surgery
A 21-year-old local resident is looking for a new living kidney donor following the failure of a previous transplant.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy
Michael Blechar-Melancon, 21, of New Bedford is searching for a kidney donor after a transplant surgery in October 2025 failed. He currently undergoes daily dialysis while receiving care at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Why it matters
The donor search is critical because the previous kidney transplant failed due to a major surgical complication one week after the procedure. Blechar-Melancon requires a new donor to replace the kidney function lost since his end-stage renal disease diagnosis in December 2024.
The patient is navigating Stage 5 chronic kidney disease and requires 9 hours of daily peritoneal dialysis. Following the initial transplant failure in October 2025, it took 7 months to stabilize his medical condition.
The players
Michael Blechar-Melancon
He is a 21-year-old New Bedford resident living with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.
Massachusetts General Hospital
This Boston-based medical institution is the current site of care for the patient and manages the living donor registry.
The details
Blechar-Melancon is actively pursuing a new living donor through the Massachusetts General Hospital system. Supporters have organized fundraising efforts to help cover the rising costs associated with ongoing dialysis, hospitalizations, and specialized transplant care.
Timeline
December 2024: Diagnosed with end-stage renal disease.
October 20, 2025: Received a living-donor kidney in Providence.
July 30, 2005: Date of birth of the recipient.
Market Landscape
The reliance on digital registries like the Massachusetts General Hospital living donor portal represents a shift toward technology-driven patient advocacy. This approach mirrors broader trends where medical systems centralize donor matching to address the chronic shortage of transplant organs.
Residents can assist by visiting the hospital website to learn about living donation requirements and donor screening procedures. The ongoing fundraising campaign directly assists the patient in managing the heavy financial burden of continuous dialysis and medical care.
The takeaway
Living organ donation remains a critical life-saving resource for individuals facing end-stage organ failure. Those interested in donating should consult with a medical professional to understand the physical requirements and long-term health implications of the process.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives and support networks in New Bedford Philanthropy.
More information
Potential donors can review requirements or submit a referral form via the Massachusetts General Hospital living donor portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fall River Reporter.
