Fundraiser Breakfast for Alex Quintero, Hinsdale Central High School Student in Need of Kidney Donor at Willowbrook School

A fundraising event took place in Willowbrook, Illinois, to support a local high school student who requires a kidney transplant. The event featured a pancake breakfast to raise funds for the cause.

Alex Quintero, a 17-year-old student at Hinsdale Central High School, is battling kidney failure due to a rare disease known as atypical HUS that he has been fighting for most of his life.

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The fundraiser, held at Gower West Elementary School in Willowbrook, saw a significant turnout as community members gathered to show their support for Quintero and his family.

“It’s good to see there’s good people and they are your neighbors,” Sheridan said. “The community support has been insane. I didn’t know what to expect and I love it.”

An early Easter pancake breakfast rallied loving neighbors around Sheridan’s 17-year-old son, who just started dialysis treatments and is awaiting a kidney.

Sheridan’s been on a mission to make sure her son finds a donor, putting an ad on her car to let the community know about her pancake breakfast event.

“Organ donation is the greatest thing,” Sheridan said. “When I was 15, filling out a permit, I signed up to be a donor before I knew anyone who needed an organ.”

Each plate of food sold a the Saturday event cost $7, with all funds going to Quintero’s family to help offset some of his pricey medical bills.

Breakfast attendee Christina Mermigas said she had to be there.

“There are so many families here,” Mermigas said. “As soon as they hear about a sick kid, yes absolutely we’ll pitch in and help.”

Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla said he saw the ad on Sheridan’s car, and he and the Kewanis Club had to step up to help organize the breakfast. He’s a kidney recipient himself.

“The sooner the better we can help Alex,” Trilla said. “He’s just about on the cusp of going to college… kid with all this potential.”

A community’s simple act of kindness could help save a life.

“I’ve never met some of these people and I’m already like wow it’s just like a grab of affection,” Quintero’s sister Bella Sheridan said. “It’s awesome.”