Please Help Brendan: Kidney & Pancreas

My son, Brendan, is in need of a double organ transplant. He has been going through the assessment at Mayo for the pancreas and kidney transplant and we are happy to report he has been accepted! We are so grateful that we have the opportunity for this life saving operation with Mayo.

Brendan is now 30 yrs. old and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 3. He is battling complications from 27 years with Diabetes. We recently spent over a year with surgeries to save his eyesight and are still battling eye treatments. Brendan is currently very sick and is being triaged for dialysis for complete kidney failure.

Brendan now faces extensive transplant surgery and months of recovery. It is not in my nature, but I need to ask for help. The bills are piling up, I'm missing work and will miss weeks of work as his caregiver. One blood workup was over $9100. I am doing my very best.

The risks with a pancreas transplant are high. The pancreas gets angry and it does not just settle in. The surgeons at Mayo have stressed this to us. They also say having a pancreas and kidney transplant at the same time is what they all agree to be the best option for him so this is our goal.

Everyone who meets Brendan loves him right away. He loves his cats, Dandelion, an apricot Maine Coone and Bubbles, a sweet tabby. He insists on opening doors for his girlfriend, me and any other lady. He's gentle, smart and kind. Brendan loved his job as a Pharmacy Tech and is looking forward to returning to work. He always thinks of others... even on the first 8-hour day at Mayo, Brendan volunteered to be in a study for using Cardiology AI. He was pretty excited with the instruments they tested on him.

Yesterday I was given a lot of paperwork. I have to help Brendan with documents that I always thought my kids would be helping me with at this stage in life: Living Will, Medical Surrogate, and a dozen more asking questions that I have to wipe away the tears to answer. Brendan is so strong and I keep so much inside to match his strength.

I watch Brendan at all the appointments, and he makes sure he thanks every doctor at Mayo for what they do for so many. The transplant surgeon actually paused and thanked Brendan for saying that!

Yes, I need help to save my son. He is an amazing young man. No matter how much I have tried to be ready for anything, this is way beyond what I had imagined. Brendan needs help that I cannot provide alone. Any amount given will help and will be used towards Brendan's care at Mayo.

Thank you for reading our story.

Please think about becoming an organ donor. There are so many that need that most incredible gift!