Help Save Jun Patena: Urgent Life-Saving Kidney Transplant

Help Save Oscar "Jun" Patena: A Desperate Plea for Life-Saving Support

For the past five years, Oscar "Jun" Patena has been living in a race against time, waiting for a kidney transplant that could save his life. Each day is a painful reminder that time is running out. His rare blood type has made finding a donor nearly impossible, leaving him and his family grappling with the fear of what lies ahead.

Jun’s battle with his health began in 2012, when recurring kidney stones signaled the start of a long and exhausting journey. His job as a transport driver, spending countless hours on the road with little time for self-care, may have contributed to his declining health. In 2012, he and his wife Dories, both passionate

about cooking, opened Kabayan Grill restaurant in New Jersey. They hoped that a restaurant closer to home would offer stability and allow Jun to step away from the strain of driving long distances. But despite their dreams, Jun’s health continued to deteriorate. This, along with Hurricane Sandy lead to the couple’s decision to close the restaurant.

In 2019, their world turned upside down when Jun was rushed to the ER due to an unrelated health issue. It was at this point that Jun was diagnosed with Stage 5 CKD and the family was informed that he would need emergency dialysis; It was a devastating moment.

The pandemic happened, and his condition had become dire. Unbearable fatigue became a part of their everyday life, muscle wasting that sapped his strength, and labored breathing had taken over his life. Medical bills piled up as Jun and Dories fought to make ends meet, supporting their four children while covering the enormous costs of Jun’s treatments. Being that he couldn’t work without risk of getting even more sick, he extended his cooking skills to catering for events and taking orders from friends, leaning on their family’s resilience to get through each day.

Through all the pain, Jun never stopped giving back to his community. As a dedicated Rotarian and President-Elect of the Queensborough West Rotary Club for 2025, Jun has been a pillar of service. He has

tirelessly led school supply drives, wellness fundraisers, and clean-up efforts in his neighborhood. Even as his health declined, his spirit for helping others never wavered.

In 2022, the search for a kidney donor became urgent. After years of hoping for a match in the U.S., Jun and Dories turned to the Philippines in 2023 and finally found a donor this year. The surgery is scheduled for early November, and they leave on October 28th for Manila. But now, the financial burden is crushing them. The years of dialysis, ER visits, and now the cost of traveling across the world for this life-saving surgery have drained their resources completely. They are facing the overwhelming cost of medical bills, surgery expenses, and the challenge of maintaining a household in two countries.

We are reaching out to you because Jun and Dories need our help—your help. This surgery is Jun’s last hope, a chance to continue being the loving husband, father, and the community leader he is. We are aiming to raise $80,000 to help them cover their medical bills, the surgery, and post-operative care. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Jun closer to a second chance at life.

Please, if you can, help this family in their time of need. Your generosity will not only save Jun's life but will also allow him to continue his legacy of love and service. Let’s come together to give Jun the future he deserves.

Thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we can give Jun a new lease on life.