A Father's Kidney Donation Gives Son a Second Chance at Life

At 10 years old, Jack was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Things took a turn when Jack’s kidneys began to fail in 2023, two days after his 19th birthday. Jack needed dialysis. His family was determined to get him a new kidney.

Penny, Jack’s mother, quickly started the kidney donor evaluation process. Unfortunately, she was not cleared to donate.

The family wasn’t about to give up. Jack’s father, Chuck, started the process next. The family was relieved to learn he matched Jack.

“His best chance at a successful transplant was going to be from a live donor,” Chuck said. “My greatest concern was being healthy enough to donate.”

This was good because Jack was getting sicker. He spent a month in the hospital after starting peritoneal dialysis.

After extensive testing, Chuck was deemed fit to become Jack’s donor. While the process of donating a kidney can be nerve-wracking, he found reassurance in the education and support he received.

“They explained the process, and it is a long process. However, going through all the testing to qualify gives you time to ask questions,” said Chuck. “The doctors are great at answering all of them.”

The donation surgery was a success, and Chuck recovered with no issues. Jack got a new kidney and a second chance at life.

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is here for you, whether you need a kidney or are considering donating one. Start your kidney transplant education here. 

Jack and his family started advocating for kidney disease awareness when he was first diagnosed. Why? Jack realized that more people needed to know about kidney disease.

“There may be a time when I cannot advocate,” Jack said. “If that time comes, others will need to step forward to do this important work. I’m helping people now, while I can.”

When Jack needed a transplant, Chuck and Penny got help from Penny’s coworkers. They created and hung posters around town looking for a kidney donor.

Both Penny and Chuck emphasize the importance of seeking help immediately. Thanks to them sharing Jack’s story, four additional people started the living donor evaluation for him.

“We did not wait to seek out support,” Penny said.

Jack, now 21, recognizes how lucky he is to have so many people behind him. He’s giving back by continuing to talk about the importance of kidney disease awareness and speaking at various events about his dialysis and transplant experience.

For Chuck, donating a kidney changed his life for the better. He saved his son’s life and would do it again in a heartbeat.

“Consider donating a kidney. You are giving a great gift, the gift of life,” Chuck said. “You can also donate your time to organizations like NKF to help make a difference.”

Need support? Find the right NKF group for you.

Ready to make a difference in the kidney disease and transplant world?

There are many ways to make an impact:

• Advocate: Big wins are possible with your voice! Help NKF change policy to better the lives of people with kidney disease.
• Attend: Join NKF events, like Kidney Walk, to show your support and meet others in the community.
• Volunteer: Donate your time and skills to help organize NKF programs that provide education, support, and resources for patients and their families.
• Fundraise: Raise money to support life-saving research, advocacy efforts, and educational campaigns that make a difference in the fight against kidney disease.
• Participate in Research: Share your experiences and insights by participating in studies that help improve kidney care and drive new advances in treatment and prevention.