Sean Costello '90

  • Sean Costello, a member of the Rush-Henrietta Class of 1995, is an educator who uses his personal experience as an organ transplant recipient to help others. Mr. Costello is an instructional coach at East Irondequoit Middle School. The fact that he’s teaching and inspiring others at all is a credit to his perseverance. 

    In 1991, Mr. Costello was involved in a car accident that left his kidneys badly damaged. For seven years, he received hemodialysis treatments, several times having to postpone his college studies because of illness. In 2000, he received a kidney transplant, but his journey was far from finished. The following year, an infection left Mr. Costello in a coma for two weeks. Then, in 2004, he lost both hip joints as a result of the anti-rejection transplant drugs he must take. After having both of his hips replaced, he returned to work.

    Despite his challenges, Mr. Costello continued to pursue athletic endeavors and inspire others. In 2002 and 2004, he represented New York in the United States Transplant Games in Orlando and Minneapolis, respectively. He also has raised awareness and money to support others who need transplants. From 2006 to 2009, he co-organized the East Irondequoit Middle School Kidney Walk. Between 2008 and 2010, he served as co-chair of his school’s student-staff basketball game to benefit the National Kidney Foundation. To honor his efforts, Mr. Costello received the National Kidney Foundation Award for Volunteer Service. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Costello maintains a deep interest in athletics. He has spent many years as a junior varsity basketball coach and varsity softball coach. In 2002, he was named Monroe County Division III Softball Coach of the Year. 

    He and his wife, Jennifer, have one daughter and are expecting a second child next year.
Sean Costello '90