I want to start by saying how deeply moved I am by this news, and by the courage Nick Mangold is showing. It’s never easy to step forward with one’s vulnerabilities, but in doing so he is not only fighting for his own life, but offering hope, awareness, and solidarity to many who face similar health battles in silence.
What we now know is that Mangold, the former standout center for the New York Jets, has revealed a serious escalation in his health journey: he is now undergoing dialysis and is actively seeking a kidney transplant. He shared that a genetic defect, first diagnosed back in 2006, has over time led to chronic kidney disease, and that after “a rough summer” his condition worsened to a point where dialysis became necessary.
He acknowledged that this is a message he long anticipated, but one he hoped he would delay: “I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,” he wrote Despite that awareness, the reality has set in with urgency. He is now actively appealing for help, asking for a living donor of blood type O, because sadly none of his family members are eligible to donate.
In his public appeal, Mangold spoke not only to Jets fans and the New York community, but also to his Ohio State roots. He asked anyone willing to check for compatibility through Columbia University’s kidney transplant program to use his full name—Nicholas Mangold—and his birthdate, January 13, 1984. He reinforced his gratitude to his family, who he described as having been “his rock every step of the way.”
Reading about his condition raises an array of emotions. On one hand, the realization that someone who has lived his life in physical performance and strength is now in a fight that’s so delicate and serious is sobering. On the other, his transparency and appeal to the public take bravery to another level — he’s not hiding, he’s asking for communal help. That act itself is a testament to resilience and humility.
The physical toll of his new reality is considerable. Dialysis is an arduous process, often requiring multiple sessions per week and strict medical oversight. And even as he navigates that, he has to juggle the emotional weight of waiting, hoping, and pressing on. Reports say he lost significant weight over the summer, and experienced declines in red blood cell count, fatigue, dizziness, nausea — symptoms that can accompany declining kidney function.At one point his doctors informed him he would need to begin dialysis and proceed toward transplant evaluation. He’s reportedly been through outpatient dialysis and hospital stays to stabilize his condition.
Because of the severity of his condition, his life has already shifted. He has reportedly stepped back (or paused) from roles he was undertaking, including coaching positions, to give himself space to focus on health Even in this moment of vulnerability, however, he frames this not merely as a setback but as a pivotal chapter — “a path to recovery” — one where he hopes to regain strength, return to a more normal life, and repay the generosity of anyone who helps him
What stands out is how he refuses to fall into despair publicly. He remains optimistic. He speaks of “looking forward to better days” and getting “back to full strength.” (NFL.com) He recognizes the difficulty of what lies ahead, but he also holds on to the possibility of a future restored. He leans on the strength of his community — his family, his team, his fans — and now invites strangers to join in that support. More than just saving a life, his plea is opening a window into the reality of organ donation, chronic disease, and how interconnected we truly are.
In sending love and best wishes to Nick and his family, we must also hold space for the many layers of this moment. There is grief in the fragility of health, fear in the uncertainty of waiting, and hope in the possibility that someone out there, untouched, might be a match. There is also gratitude for his willingness to share his journey — to tell the world not just of his glory days on the field, but of the human struggle behind the headlines.
To Nick: May every dialysis session be a step toward strength, may the days ahead bring news of a match, and may your spirit remain unbroken. To his wife and children: your strength and love are pillars in this fight; your presence matters more now than ever. To those reading: consider this an invitation — to become aware, to share, to check your willingness to help, and to send compassion. In moments like these, the reach of care can stretch far beyond a stadium or a team — it can cross oceans and cross hearts.
If you like, I can compose a message that your community or network might use to help share awareness or appeal for a donor. Would you like me to do that?
