Portion Of Pizza Sales To Go To 20-Year-Old In Need Of Kidney

MIDLOTHIAN, IL — Residents will be able to help fund the medical expenses of a 20-year-old man undergoing a kidney transplant by pre-ordering heart-shaped pizzas to pick up on Valentine's Day from a local restaurant.

Danny Oganovich, of Midlothian, was diagnosed with kidney disease as a sophomore at Bremen High School. Years later, he is now in end stage renal failure, family friends told Patch.

While Oganovich was able to maintain his health throughout high school, eventually building up the strength to walk at graduation and finish his hockey season with the Cobras, his condition worsened in 2020.

After a year of searching, a local resident began the process of donating her kidney to a stranger in return for Danny getting a kidney donation from another stranger through a kidney exchange program. At the last minute, however, Danny's donation fell through.

Now, family told Patch that Danny has another chance at a transplant through the exchange program. He is scheduled to go into surgery Thursday with the hope his body will accept the organ.

"Danny's story does not end with this surgery," said Rachel Thorson, an organizer for the fundraiser. "He has a long road ahead of him and we are bringing everyone in our community together to help support this deserving family."

Order pizzas here.

Residents are invited to place orders for heart-shaped pizzas from Home Run Inn any time before Thursday, Feb. 10. In return, 30 percent of the funds from the holiday pizza sale will go directly to Danny's family to support his medical expenses. Pizzas will then be available for pickup between Feb. 14-16.

"It kind of just hit me that, wow, I'm going to be getting cut open soon," Oganovich said in a TikTok video detailing his health journey.

According to Thorson, Danny's medical expenses have piled up throughout the years and will not subside until well after his surgery. His mother, Tiffany Oganovich, has become his primary caretaker in recent years, going on family medical leave to ensure Danny makes it through 10 hours of dialysis and 30 pills every day.

"Danny's health and receiving a kidney are top priority, however this has caused a heavy financial burden on the whole family," said Thorson.

Home Run Inn regularly works with south suburban fundraisers from their location in Beverly. At a goal of 75 pizzas, the Oganovichs would take home $500.

Order pizzas here.