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NYC Father Of Two Needs A Home To Get Life-Saving Kidney Transplant

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Octavio Estevez stood on the steps of City Hall on Monday, asking the city to let him live.

WCBS 880's Alex Silverman On The Story

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His kidneys are failing and, as St. Sen. Adriano Espaillat said, "His life is in danger."

Estevez had to leave his job because of his health. So he can't afford to pay rent.

"He's currently at a shelter with his family," said Espaillat.

Without a permanent home, New York Presbyterian rules say they aren't allowed to perform the kidney transplant surgery Estevez needs to stay alive.

"So this is a catch 22, during the Christmas season, where our hearts should be open to new possibilities to help people like Mr. Estevez," said Espaillat.

Espaillat and other elected officials, including City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, are calling on the city housing authority to find a way around the rules and get him a home despite not being at the top of the city list (for which he is eligible), but time is short.

The city has offered to fly him back his Dominican Republic, but he doesn't believe he'd get satisfactory medical treatment there.

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