Jeff Pendergrass is a man of faith who is dependable, hardworking, and deeply devoted to his family. His 11-year-old daughter, Ellie, loves the quiet moments she spends with her dad in nature and hopes for more days just simply talking and being together. Jeff never imagined he would be sharing a story like this-but here he is, telling it with courage and hope. 

Jeff needs a living kidney donor to save his life. 

Since Jeff?s diagnoses of kidney failure, doctors haven?t been able to pinpoint a single cause for the decline in his kidney function, which has made this even more difficult to comprehend. What has become clear is that Jeff?s kidneys can no longer support his body and he?s now in kidney failure. There are only two treatments for people living with kidney failure: dialysis or transplant. 

Getting on the transplant list isn?t automatic and Jeff had to make significant changes to his lifestyle. He altered his diet, lost weight, and implemented a rigorous fitness plan. He committed to doing everything in his power to care for his body. These changes weren?t easy, but Jeff approached them with determination because Jeff?s Courageous Comeback is rooted in doing the hard things with hope. 

While Jeff waits for a transplant, he must do dialysis treatments to stay alive. Each week he spends 12 hours a week connected to a dialysis machine that filters the toxins from his blood. Dialysis is physically and emotionally demanding, draining his energy, and limiting his freedom. Simple things many take for granted-spontaneous travel, long days of activity, or consistent energy-now require careful planning or are sometimes out of reach all together due to his daily treatments. Dialysis isn?t living, it?s existing.

A living kidney donor doesn?t just save a life. They make a comeback possible.

Kidney failure doesn?t just affect Jeff?s health; it affects every part of his daily life. Jeff?s life revolves around dialysis treatments, doctor?s appointments, lab work, and strict dietary guidelines. He?s unable to eat foods that are high in salt which include Friday night family pizza nights, Mexican, and Chinese foods. He must limit all foods with phosphorous and potassium, which is almost everything-even certain fruits and vegetables like bananas, beans nuts, and Jeff?s favorite-tomatoes. Jeff?s only allowed 32 ounces of liquid a day. He?s a huge water drinker and this has been a real struggle. 

Jeff?s actively involved in his church, committed to his work, and always willing to lend a hand. He loves to travel, skate, swim, and work in the yard. He thrives when he?s outdoors, moving his body, and spending time with the people he loves most. One of those people is his sweet 11-year-old daughter, Ellie. They love spending quiet moments together in nature-walking or working in the yard. It?s during these times with her dad that Ellie feels safe and peaceful.

A kidney from a living donor means MORE TIME to create memories with Ellie.

A new kidney means freedom off dialysis. With a new kidney, Jeff could regain his energy and strength. He could have greater freedom to travel, enjoy deeper moments with his family, and participate more actively in both his church and local community. He could spend those quiet, outdoor moments with Ellie that mean so much to them. He would have the opportunity to see Ellie grow up, graduate from high school, and get married.

The wait times to get a kidney from a deceased donor average 3 ? 5 years or longer. Jeff?s doctors and transplant team have advised him to look for a living donor. Finding a living donor will help Jeff get ?off the list? sooner and onto living his life. A kidney from a living donor often has better outcomes, averaging 15 to 20 years or more versus 8 ? 12 years from a deceased donor kidney. Most living donor surgeries are done laparoscopically and discharge from the hospital is usually 24 ? 48 hours after surgery. The life expectancy of a living donor is typically longer than the average person. 

Living kidney donation doesn?t require someone to match Jeff?s blood type. Through the paired exchange, a willing donor can donate their kidney on Jeff?s behalf even if they aren?t a match, allowing multiple lives to be saved through one generous donation.

We?ve partnered with the trusted nonprofit Help Hope Live to help with expenses not covered by insurance.

? Donate, follow updates, or leave encouragement:

Donate to Southeast Transplant Fund in honor of Jeff Pendergrass 

Donate to Southeast Transplant Fund in honor of Jeff Pendergrass

Help Jeff Pendergrass's friends and family raise money for medical expenses associated with Kidney Transplant. Donate today.

? Interested in learning about becoming a living kidney donor for Jeff?

Start here: Emory Healthcare Kidney Transplant 

Emory Healthcare Kidney Transplant

(The process is confidential.)

? Questions about living donation?

Joshua Bean, Living Donor Coordinator

Emory Transplant

470-963-1189 | [email protected]

(Jeff will not be notified if you contact the team.)

If you?re unable to donate, sharing this post means more than you know. Thank you for standing with us. ?