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Change Your Smile,
Change Your Life!

Get the beautiful
smile you’ve always
wanted through
the “magic” of a
crown lengthening
procedure at
Joseph R. Nemeth
DDS & Associates.

Walking With
The Animals

15-year-old among top fundraisers for
National Kidney Foundation.

Alison Schwartz | Special to the Jewish News

BEFORE

AFTER

This dramatic change is the result
of a gum reshaping procedure.
No other procedures or veneers
were used. Drs. Nemeth and
Katranji offer many procedures
to enhance a smile. For a smile
consultation, call 248-357-3100.

Dr. Joseph Nemeth as he appears on National Public Television.

29829 Telegraph Road, Suite 111
Southfi eld, Michigan 48034
248.357.3100 I www.drnemeth.com

2000300

Danny (right) with his parents and younger brother Matthew

F

reshman Danny Zivian has
carved a niche for himself at
North Farmington High School.
He loves performing, most recently per-
fecting his British accent as Lord Evelyn
Oakleigh for the school musical Anything
Goes. He is also an alto sax player in con-
cert band.
Then, there is fundraising for an
organization where he probably gives his
greatest performances. Danny has raised
a total of $75,000 dollars for the National
Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s annual
Kidney Walk, now in its 20th year. This
year’s event, being held at the Detroit
Zoo on Sunday, May 15, expects to
attract 8,000 walkers and supporters.
Two years ago, Danny raised $20,000,
becoming the top individual fundraiser
in the country of all kidney walks. Then
he raised $20,000 again in 2015, only los-
ing his top fundraising spot to a man in
New York who raised $44,000.
“I know it’s not a competition, but …”
jokes Danny, 15, from West Bloomfield.
“Actually when I first raised $20,000,
it was almost overwhelming. I’d been
speaking at some engagements for
the National Kidney Foundation of
Michigan, and then we set up online
fundraising with things like Facebook
campaigns, online custom-made videos,
and mass emails to family and friends.
People were very generous.”
Danny’s involvement in the charity
is a very personal one. He was born

with chronic kidney disease, diagnosed
at just 7 weeks old. His right kidney
never worked, and his left kidney is too
small. His parents, Debra and Robert,
were told that Danny would likely need
a kidney transplant before he reached
kindergarten. Danny credits the fact that,
thus far, he has avoided a transplant due
to the expert care from doctors at the
University of Michigan hospital.
“I’m not on dialysis, but I do need to
go to the hospital every three months
for blood tests. I take growth hormones
and have to stay hydrated through the
day,” Danny explains. “My diet is very
restricted, too — no whole grains, no
phosphorus and I can’t have chocolate on
a regular basis.” Playing strenuous sports
is also out.
Danny recognizes that he is likely
to need a transplant in the foreseeable
future, probably before he goes to col-
lege. He is also well aware of the support
that the National Kidney Foundation of
Michigan gives to other kids like him,
but who might have been less lucky in
getting an early diagnosis.
“It really is such a good cause, and it’s
my way of giving back, being grateful
that I remain as healthy as I am,” says
Danny, whose family are members of
Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield.
“On the walk day, there are inspiring
speakers at a kickoff ceremony, then the
walk starts and I’m feeling part of this
big community of people all supporting

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56 April 28 • 2016