Ernie Reyes Jr. Post Operation Kidney Transplant

“I’ve learned that my purpose in life wasn’t to be an actor and to be famous. It was to use my talents to inspire others to achieve their goals and have a good life.”

-- Ernie Reyes Jr.

If you grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, you probably remember Ernie Reyes Jr. as the child star of the TV show Sidekicks, and in the movies The Last Dragon, Surf Ninjas, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You may even remember him from The Rundown with "The Rock," Dwayne Johnson. Regardless of where you have seen or heard of Ernie Reyes Jr., he has had a positive impact on peoples’ lives all over the world, through his extraordinary performances in television and film. And despite the fame of Hollywood stardom, Ernie Jr. has remained true to his roots, using his incredible gifts and talents to help inspire others to achieve their goals and to have a good life. Maybe he even helped to inspire you.

This is the Season of Miracles; my brother Ernie Jr. was blessed with an unexpected Christmas miracle—a kidney was suddenly available for transplant. He was in Hawaii, once again giving inspiration and encouragement to others, when he got the news that he had to be in Phoenix, Arizona within 24 hours for the transplant. He caught a redeye flight to Phoenix, and arrived at the Mayo clinic on December 14, with barely enough time left for a successful transplant.

For the past 6 ½ years, Ernie Jr. has been undergoing dialysis, 3 days a week, each session 3 hours long. It has been an enormous mental and spiritual challenge, but he always did his best to keep training, teaching, and working to provide for his family of two children.

But because of the rush to get to Phoenix in time for the transplant, what Ernie Jr. didn’t know was what the post-operation procedures would be like. He has just been informed that he has to stay in Phoenix for some time for follow-up medical exams.

On his road to recovery, barely able to move, it will be a challenging time for him and his family. He now has unexpected living expenses for his stay in Phoenix, and when he returns home. This is especially difficult, considering that he won't be physically able to work for the next several months, and will be unable to bring in income to support his family while he recovers.

Today, after a lifetime of inspiring and helping others to achieve their dreams, my brother, Ernie Jr. needs the help and support of others.

And so, after the unexpected Christmas gift of life he received so unexpectedly this week, I would deeply appreciate your support for my brother during his time of need, as he begins his journey on the road to recovery, with his new gift of life and hope.

Our Reyes family deeply appreciates all of your prayers, blessings, and support over the past 6 ½ years. Any donation to help him with his post operation expenses and living would mean the world to him and his family.

Thank you for taking a moment to see how and why you can make a difference, and thank you so much for your support,


Destiny Reyes