Rochester Man Marked 48 Years With Transplanted Kidney

Raymond Vetuskey set a hospital record by surviving nearly five decades with a kidney donated by his mother.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Eldercare

Bold vector editorial illustration of a blooming plant growing from a laboratory beaker, symbolizing medical resilience and long-term health. — Raymond Vetuskey of Rochester has marked 48 years with a kidney transplanted from his mother, setting a long-term survival record for the procedure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On March 2, 1978, Raymond Vetuskey underwent a successful kidney transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital using an organ donated by his mother, Elizabeth Vetuskey. The surgery has allowed him to survive for 48 years, far exceeding the typical lifespan for such procedures.

Why it matters

This medical milestone highlights the long-term success of living donor transplants when supported by advanced anti-rejection therapies. It provides a rare look at the potential for extended organ function decades beyond the standard average survival time.

The average survival time for a living donor kidney transplant typically ranges from 15 to 20 years. Vetuskey was 16 years old at the time of his 1978 surgery, which utilized his mother as a near-perfect donor match.

The players

Raymond Vetuskey

He is a Webster resident who holds the record as the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient at URochester Medicine.

Elizabeth Vetuskey

She was the donor of the kidney and the mother of Raymond Vetuskey.

Strong Memorial Hospital

This facility is a major medical institution in Rochester that performs hundreds of transplant surgeries annually.

The details

Vetuskey required the transplant after a virus damaged his kidneys while he was a teenager. The procedure at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester stands as the longest-surviving case at the institution, sustained by consistent medical advancements and rigorous anti-rejection regimens.

March 2, 1978: Vetuskey received the kidney transplant.
2008: Elizabeth Vetuskey died.
2025: Strong Memorial Hospital performed 237 transplants.
June 2026: Elizabeth Vetuskey would have turned 100.
October 2026: Raymond Vetuskey will celebrate his 65th birthday.

Roadmap

This case underscores the evolution of transplant medicine, moving from experimental surgery to routine life-saving care. The success of the transplant follows a pattern set by the URochester Medicine transplant program in optimizing long-term patient outcomes through specialized care.

For residents in the Finger Lakes region, this milestone highlights the critical importance of the local organ donation network that serves 2.4 million people. Patients waiting for transplants can find hope in these long-term survival statistics despite the large waiting lists.

The takeaway

This case illustrates the vital role of living donors in extending the lives of those suffering from organ failure. Proper adherence to post-surgical medication regimens remains the most critical factor for recipients aiming to mirror this longevity.