Tell us about a difference maker, page 10
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Mammal mia! Local residents have encountered forest dwellers becoming familiar with their backyards and streets. By Joseph Myers r e v i e w s ta f f w r i t e r
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he last few months have witnessed attempts by unexpected creatures to make South Philadelphia as diverse zoologically as it is racially. At least four raccoons have been wandering a six-block radius, causing confusion and concern for residents and necessitating discussions on their removal. Though the critters have developed a semi-wide stretch for finding food, they have proven especially meddlesome for homeowners on the 2800 block of South 11th street. More accustomed to tending to stray See RACCOONS page 12
Sports
Alison Nelson, from left, Kyme’ McCleary, Patricia Nelson and Ky-Yonni McCleary traveled to Wisconsin for the U.S. Transplant Games. Ky-Yonni, a South Philly native who endured 42 surgeries including two liver transplants, competed in basketball.
Second chances
A LoMo kidney recipient and a Pennsport family of a donor traveled to Wisconsin to join others who have received a life-saving transplant.
A zoom with a view
Ahead of his senior season, Neumann-Goretti’s second sacker committed to an elite Division I program. By Joseph Myers................Page 34
By Amanda L. Snyder R e v i e w S ta f f W r i t e r
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he success rate of transplant surgery has readily improved, but demand far exceeds supply. More than 100,700 are on the organ transplant waiting list with more added each month, John D. Green, Gift of Life’s director of community relations, said. George Arroyo was one of the lucky ones.
“I am very blessed that I only waited one year for a kidney,” the resident of 11th and Shunk streets said of his transplant. “The normal wait is three to five years.” Arroyo along with the Nelsons, a local family of an organ donor, were part of the 350-member Team Philly consisting of 109 organ recipients, 13 living donors and 76 donor family members that traveled to Madison, Wis. July 30 to August 4 for the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games. Every other
summer, besides bringing awareness to the successes of transplantation, the event provides transplant recipients and living donors a chance to compete in a variety of sporting events while donor family members make up the cheering section. Arroyo, 47, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1991. It progressed slowly until he had to endure dialysis for one year prior See TRANSPLANT page 9