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

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

In 2004, at the age of 18, my kidney function took a sharp decline. Both my parents underwent tests to determine compatibility as potential donors, and it was my mother who emerged as the chosen one. Our surgery proved successful, and for 14 years, my mother's kidney bestowed upon me the vitality to embrace life fully. When the time came to christen this café in 2014, there was no doubt in my mind that it should bear my mother's name.

But that's only the beginning of the tale...

In 2018, as we embarked on the early stages of bringing this café to fruition, my mother's donated kidney began to falter. I found myself on dialysis, and the quest for a new donor commenced.

Fortunately, I didn't have to look far. A cherished friend, Larkin – a devoted father of four and partner to the equally wonderful Kate – learned of my health predicament and selflessly 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