Amidst the gaily lighted Christmas trimmings that illumined Town Plaza last Thursday for the Christmas tree lighting, a slender, immensely familiar figure stood off to the side.

Whether or not he has an official role, businessman Vince Motyl long has been a friendly fixture at community events.

Surrounded by young families thrilled at the red and green that signaled entry of the Christmas season, Mr. Motyl was talking about Linda, his beloved wife of a half-century, and why he happened to be there by himself.

Because of kidney failure, she has been on dialysis for six years, three treatments a week.

“It’s a tough thing,” Mr. Motyl was saying. “I understand what couples go through when one is in a devastating condition, especially when you first find out about it.”

But you fight back, he said. You resist. “The end of the world,” he said, “is not here yet.”

How do the Motyls get through such a crisis?

“I will be honest with you,” he said. “My wife went onto dialysis. She started to look for a kidney support group on the Westside. Unfortunately, there was none.

“I said, ‘Why don’t you start one?’ You know me. I am involved in everything. My wife has never been involved in anything in her life. She said, ‘Let’s try it.’ I said that ‘I’ll help you.’

“We put out flyers. We used the conference room in my office on Washington Boulevard. Lo and behold, Westside Kidney Support Group was formed a little over six years ago.

“Through that,” Mr. Motyl continued, “she really has become known in the kidney organization.

“A couple years ago L.A. County, through the social workers, nominated her for the Public Servant of the Year award. Lo and behold, she won it. Shortly after that, she was nominated for the same award for the state of California. Lo and behold, she won that won that one also.

“Then she was nominated for the United States award, and she didn’t make that one,” said a proud husband.

Mr. Motyl said the kidney support group of 15 members “is highly needed because kidney disease has become one of the most prevalent.”

He smiles often, and now he was ready to put a cherry atop his story.

“This has been such a rewarding experience,” Mr. Motyl said.

“You asked how I get through it, and I can give you my answer in one word: Support.

“We have a good circle of friends. We are friendly with all of her doctors on the board of Southern California Hospital. We have a good staff.”

Mrs. Motyl does get out. She does not drive because of a partial stroke. Three times a week for each of her dialysis treatments, the Motyls climb into the family car long before dawn because the sessions start at 4 a.m.

“She is finished by 8:30, and that gives her the rest of the day for herself” while Mr. Motyl heads off to his office.