At just 15 years old, Brent was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes—a lifelong condition he has faced with quiet strength and determination. For years, he did everything he could to manage it, even when life made that nearly impossible. At 22, he lost his health insurance and was forced to monitor his glucose levels using manual glucose checks. Despite his best efforts, this led to repeated diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) episodes and long-term damage to his body.

Eventually, Brent secured health coverage through the Healthcare Marketplace and was able to afford a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), which drastically improved his ability to manage his diabetes. But the damage was already compounding.

At 35, Brent noticed swelling in his legs and abdomen. He assumed it was too much sodium—until it didn’t go away. He was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease and immediately began life-saving dialysis and was put on the kidney transplant list per his doctor's recommendation. Around the same time, he began losing his vision. An emergency diagnosis revealed a fully detached retina in one eye and a detaching retina in the other. Immediate surgery saved his eyesight—but left him with lasting damage to his depth perception in his left eye. Unfortunately doctors were unable to save the vision in his right eye.

On top of it all, Brent lives with diabetic neuropathy that continues to worsen over time.

Despite it all, Brent has never given up.

He is now being evaluated for a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN—one of the top transplant centers in the world. If he qualifies, this transplant wouldn’t just save his life—it could cure his diabetes and halt the progression of his neuropathy. It would give him the chance to live free from dialysis, free from insulin, and free from the daily fear of decline.

But the journey isn’t over yet. Mayo Clinic requires a caregiver from his support system to be present throughout the entire transplant recovery period, which may last 3–4 weeks. Brent and his girlfriend Katie have been traveling to Rochester for his evaluation, but the financial burden of what comes next is overwhelming.

We’re raising $25,000 to cover the critical costs of:

• Immediate travel to Mayo Clinic upon receiving the call about a transplant match (required to be onsite within 8–12 hours of receiving the call for best chance at a successful transplant)

• 30+ days of lodging during recovery. Brent will be in ICU for a period of time post transplant. Following discharge he will be required to stay in Rochester, MN for regular blood draws and close monitoring for signs of organ rejection.

• Food, transportation, and caregiving expenses

Every dollar gets Brent closer to healing, freedom, and a second chance at life.

If you can give, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We understand times are tough and finances are tight. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing his story.

Your support could be the miracle Brent’s been fighting for.