Former Jets center Mangold seeks kidney donor amid dialysis

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold announced Tuesday that he is battling chronic kidney disease, is on dialysis and needs a kidney transplant, asking fans and community members for help in finding a donor. Mangold, 41, posted on social media that he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006 that has progressed to kidney failure, and that no family members are available to donate a kidney.

Mangold directed his appeal to the New York Jets and Ohio State communities, where he remains a well-known figure. He provided instructions for anyone willing to be evaluated as a donor to visit columbiasurgery.org/kidneytransplant, click the link titled "I WANT TO DONATE MY KIDNEY" and submit his full name, Nicholas Mangold, and his birthdate, January 13, 1984. He said he is seeking a donor with type O blood and added, "I am deeply grateful to anyone that would consider donating."

In his message Mangold reflected on the progression of his illness. "I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time," he wrote. He said the past summer had been difficult but that he is "staying positive and focused on the path ahead" and looking forward to returning to full strength.