Former Jets star Nick Mangold seeks kidney donor, urges fans to help amid dialysis treatment

Former New York Jets center and seven-time Pro Bowler Nick Mangold has publicly announced that he is on dialysis and urgently needs a kidney transplant due to chronic kidney disease resulting from a genetic condition diagnosed in 2006.

In a heartfelt message posted Tuesday, Mangold stated: “This is not an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what’s going on with me and my health.” He explained that his kidney condition had worsened and required dialysis after a difficult summer. Despite foreseeing this moment, Mangold said he hopes to have more time before facing this critical phase.

Mangold, who is now 41 years old, has no one in his family who can donate his kidney. As a result, he appealed to the New York Jets and Ohio State communities, along with the public, in search of a donor with type O blood. He provided details for potential donors to visit:
https://columbiasurgery.org/kidney-transplant and use his full name Nicholas Mangold and date of birth January 13, 1984 to start the compatibility scan.

Mangold thanked her family and friends for their unwavering support and expressed gratitude to anyone who considered donating. “This situation reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family, friends and community behind me,” she said. Despite his health problems, he remains optimistic about his future and is excited for better days and returning to full strength soon.

Selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Mangold spent his entire 11-season career with the team. Known for his blue-collar toughness, he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named first-team All-Pro twice. In 2022, his contributions were honored with induction into the Jets’ Ring of Honor.
Mangold’s heartfelt appeal highlights the scarcity of compatible kidney donors and the critical need to raise public awareness of living donations, especially among people with type O blood, known as the universal donor type.
The football community and fans rallied around Mangold, sharing messages of support and hope, highlighting the urgent importance of organ donation in saving lives. His story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those with chronic kidney disease and the life-changing impact of organ transplantation.