News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
FIFA World Cup

Westchester woman on mission to help Broadway star find kidney

Kim Constantinesco told News 12 she gave Jamal Shuriah a kidney in 2020 after Shuriah had been fighting a rare kidney disease since 2017.

Veronica Jean Seltzer

and

Rob Taub

Aug 3, 2023, 3:29 AM

Updated

Share:

Top Stories

A Westchester woman has made it her mission to help a Broadway star find a kidney.



Kim Constantinesco told News 12 she gave Jamal Shuriah a kidney in 2020 after Shuriah had been fighting a rare kidney disease since 2017.



"In 2020 there was so much life lost, and I ultimately wanted to give life,” said Constantinesco.



Shuriah had many donors back out in the years prior until Constantinesco provided him with her organ. Constantinesco found Shuriah after Googling the name she had overheard in the hospital.



"It's like God has finally gifted me with an answer,” said Shuriah.

Constantinesco and Shuriah’s college friend kept getting his story out until another donor found him.



Shuriah now needs another kidney because his body has started to reject the one Constantinesco donated.



Shuriah’s doctors told him that the kidneys failed in different circumstances. But with the right kidney, he'll have a better outcome.

LINKS TO HELP:

GoFundMe page

Kim Constantinesco's story

Website for possible donation

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices