Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction firm DeAngelis Diamond has shared an appeal on behalf of superintendent Justin Aquino, who is currently searching for a living kidney donor after a previously scheduled transplant was canceled.
According to the post, Aquino is a husband to Sammi, father to daughter Avery, and superintendent who has continued working while managing significant health challenges.
The company noted that although his planned transplant recently fell through, he remains hopeful as he continues the search for a compatible donor.
“I’ve known for most of my life that Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD, was part of my story. PKD is a hereditary condition where clusters of cysts slowly grow on the kidneys over time, gradually reducing their ability to function,” Aquino said on his donation appeal page. “There’s no cure, only management, and for many people, it quietly progresses for years before it becomes a crisis.
“I always knew a transplant would likely be in my future. I just didn’t expect it to come this fast.”
DeAngelis Diamond is encouraging people to learn more about Aquino’s situation and consider whether they might be a match, saying that wider awareness could help connect him with a potential donor.
You don’t have to be a blood relative. You don’t have to be a perfect biological match. You just have to be willing to find out if you could be the one.
Supporters shared messages of encouragement for Aquino and his family during what has been described as a difficult period, while also asking others to keep them in their thoughts.
Living kidney donation requires medical testing to determine compatibility, and all potential donors undergo evaluation to ensure safety for both donor and recipient.
After months of testing and evaluation, Aquino received incredible news – a match had been found, unfortunately, an unexpected setback closed that door.
“I’m not sharing this to ask for sympathy. I’m sharing it because somewhere out there, there may be someone reading this who could be the reason I get to watch Avery grow up, keep showing up for Sammi, and get back to living the life I love,” he said.
Visit to learn more about Aquino’s journey and see if you could be a match.
