A Bridgeport pastor says he's not letting stage 5 kidney disease stop him from helping children this holiday season.

Pastor Eric Torres, of the Greater Bridgeport Christian Fellowship on Boston Avenue, says he never imagined he be fighting for his life just a few weeks after his 40th birthday.

He says he will have to receive a new kidney if he is going to live to celebrate his 41st birthday. Torres, who is also a school principal, tells News 12 Connecticut he plans to continue running his annual Toys for Tots program to give back to 1,500 children.

His fighting spirit made national news two years ago, when thieves broke into the storage units behind his church and stole thousands of dollars worth of gifts for families in need.

Torres got all new gifts for the children despite the setback.

Torres' family says he's running out of sick time at work and his medical bills are piling up. They've set up a fund to help with those expenses.