HAVERHILL — Skiers and snowboarders have banded together for Mike Privitera, a veteran of the slopes, plastering posters of his face across the city.
“There’s pictures of me hanging up all over town,” said Privitera, director of Ski Bradford sports school who is suffering from kidney disease. “Which is somewhat embarrassing.”
Privitera, 68, has been the snow sports school director since 2012, helping thousands of newcomers to the sport find their ski legs. Before that, he was an instructor on the mountain since the 1990’s.
Class is now in session as lessons are hosted after school every weekday and on weekends. The students can strap a pair of skis on at just four years old since the school accepts children, teenagers, adults – anyone willing to learn.
There’s a wide range of instructors as well, from high schoolers to retirees. Many of whom were originally taught to ski by Privitera.
He said he prefers to ski since his snowboarding skills often lead to bumps and bruises.
As a certified level two ski instructor with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), Privitera has dedicated decades to his passions for teaching and winter sports.
After teaching one generation after another on how to hit the slopes, the Ski Bradford community intends to pay it to back to Privitera, who many see as a pivotal figure on the mountain.
Three years ago, Privitera was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease, a chronic kidney condition that requires him to be on dialysis every night for six hours while he sleeps. His kidney failure stems from complications of Type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with in 1986.
Despite the demanding treatment, Privitera keeps his head held high.
“It’s not fun but it’s not too big of a deal,” he said. “It’s just like brushing your teeth. It becomes something you do everyday.”
But as his condition worsens, the doctors at Mass. General Hospital have made it clear: He needs a kidney transplant.
His daughter, Allie Colwell, has taken the search to the streets, publicizing Privitera’s hunt for a donor. She has created a Facebook page, printed flyers, and spread the word as best she could. Ski Bradford instructors, many of whom were once his students, have joined in, hanging posters in stores and shops throughout Haverhill.
“I can’t believe how many seasons of kids he’s inspired,” Colwell said. “You can see it because they’re all willing to help him and they all grabbed flyers.”
“Please help get Big Mike a Kidney,” the flyers read.
The search has proven to be more of a challenge than expected, though. Former ski instructor Kalyn Markuns was willing to donate her kidney but was initially denied because she was too young.
Two years later, she tried again, passing multiple stages of medical and psychological tests. The surgery was scheduled for November of last year, but doctors, once again, declined to proceed with the operation.
Markuns’ case is one of many as several potential donors have been turned down during testing, according to Colwell. The family, friends and former pupils of Privitera are still on the lookout for a candidate, however.
“It blows me away how many people are working toward this thing,” Privitera said. “The help is amazing and we’ll keep looking. But, the sooner the better.”
The flyers are still posted as the search for a kidney donor continues, as Privitera remains hopeful no matter how steep the challenge.