42 Years Later
CKF Ambassador - Jerry Brien’s Donation Journey
Jerry’s introduction to organ donation came at the DMV when he was asked to save lives by becoming an organ donor. His answer was a simple yes, and he continued about his life. He became a blood donor by registering to donate during his high school blood drives. However, he would not be faced with the world of donation until his brother reached out in 1982 to ask if he would consider donating a kidney to save Jim’s life. Jerry was not that familiar with organ donation, let alone living donation, and he was now faced with the decision to dive head first in.
Jerry’s decision to begin the testing process came after discussions with his wife. As a father of three under five at the time, it was a big commitment. Jerry and his wife decided it was something that he needed to do, and he should at least go through the testing; his wife was adamant that Jerry would be the match. Jerry was not the only one to be tested. His other two brothers also completed the testing to become a living donor for Jim. After they had completed the testing, they each waited to hear from UW Madison to see if any of them would be the match Jim desperately needed. Jerry was the one to receive the call and was told he was the best match for his brother! Jerry can clearly remember looking over at his wife when they asked if he still wanted to go through the process; she supported him wholeheartedly as she had always said he would be the match.
Jerry was taken through the process of more testing and appointments to ensure that he was healthy and able to donate. The hospital assured him his procedure happened during the summer holidays, so he would be back to work at the start of the school term. Jerry found it interesting that a part of the procedure is to meet with a social worker, and their role must have been to warn him of everything that could go wrong! He confirmed he knew the risk but wanted to proceed and become his brother’s living donor. On June 23rd, 1982, Jerry and Jim were wheeled into their perspective operating rooms, and the kidney donation and subsequent kidney transplant were performed.
Since the transplant, both brothers have dived into the world of advocating and celebrating donation. Jerry and Jim have competed together at the Transplant Games of America, and this April, Jerry headed down to Australia to cheer on Jim at the World Transplant Games after they competed together at the US World Games.
The decision to become a living donor for his brother springboarded Jerry’s commitment to advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation and donate even more blood to save lives. Jerry is fast approaching 21 gallons of blood and has donated 600 units of platelets. Considering that you have the potential to save three lives every time you donate blood, Jerry has helped over 500 individuals just through blood donation, let alone platelet donation! He is proud of this, but he is even prouder to be able to advocate alongside his brother Jim, who is now 42 years out from his kidney transplant.
Jerry is now a CKF Ambassador and is continuing his work to educate and inspire others to consider becoming a donor, whether deceased or living. He works tirelessly in his community to spread the message through hosting and supporting events and sharing his story. He hopes to support and reassure those considering becoming a living donor that you can live a happy and full life post-donation, and that it does not change your hopes and dreams.
