Manolis to Film Journey to Kidney Donation

NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, October 6, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The national spokesperson for Kidneys for Kids, Margaret "Rita" Manolis, is undergoing evaluation to become a living kidney donor, with her journey to be filmed for the organization's documentary and television series, "The Darker The Night." The release states that Manolis, who previously tried to donate a kidney to her son Elias but was rejected due to her weight, is now in the process of qualifying as a donor. Her story, which was previously featured on Good Morning America, will be part of the series.

Manolis, who is undergoing evaluation to become a living kidney donor, is also leading the campaign to fund the post-production and distribution of the film. Her planned donation would go to an anonymous recipient and secure a voucher for Elias, should he ever need a kidney transplant. Manolis's journey to becoming a donor is being documented for the film, which is set to premiere on March 11, 2027.

Kidneys for Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bay City, Michigan, dedicated to helping children waiting for kidney transplants find living donors, is the subject of this news article. The organization operates the Good Karma Entertainment Network, its own Roku TV channel, alongside social media and its website to share children's stories until a living donor says yes. Kidneys for Kids is a partner of the National Kidney Registry and a voting member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).

The Darker The Night, a documentary and television series premiering on March 11, 2027, follows children waiting for kidney transplants and the living donors who answer their calls. Manolis's donor journey will be recorded for the film and the accompanying 30-episode television series. Her son Elias's story, which was filmed at NYU Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in March, was the first for the film and TV series. Manolis is currently leading the campaign to fund the post-production and distribution of the film, as she believes it will motivate many more living kidney donors.

Kidneys for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bay City, Michigan, dedicated to helping children waiting for kidney transplants find living donors. The organization operates the Good Karma Entertainment Network, its own Roku TV channel, alongside social media and its website to share children's stories until a living donor says yes. Kidneys for Kids is a partner of the National Kidney Registry and a voting member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).