Mary's Café is named in honor of my mother, Mary Gambone, and here's the story behind our name.

From the outset of my life, I grappled with kidney failure, and throughout my childhood, my family understood that eventually I would need a kidney transplant.

In 2004, at the age of 18, my kidney function took a sharp decline. My parents were tested and my mom was the best choice for me. Our surgery was successful, and for 14 years, my mother's kidney gave me 14 years of health. When I had the idea for this cafe I felt that naming it for my mom would create good karma for my new venture.

In 2018, during the beginning years of business my mother's donated kidney began to fail. I found myself on dialysis, and was placed on the transplant list, hoping a new kidney would come to me.

Fortunately, I didn't have to look far. A great friend, Larkin learned of my health predicament and volunteered to be my donor. Miraculously, we were found to be a perfect match, and the surgery was swiftly arranged.

However, just three days before the scheduled operation, an unforeseen complication arose, rendering Larkin unable to donate his kidney directly to me. In a remarkable act of kindness, Larkin proposed a paired organ donation. He graciously donated his kidney to a stranger, enabling me to receive a life-saving transplant from an anonymous donor. With the gift of this transplant, my health rebounded instantaneously, and I am profoundly grateful to continue cherishing life's experiences.

Organ donation is an extraordinary act of altruism, and I consider myself immensely fortunate to have been blessed by two heroes who have sustained me: my incredible mother, Mary, and my lifelong friend, Larkin. Thank you for stopping in. Your support means the world to me.

Warm regards, Kenny