In June 2004, after eight years on dialysis, JePahl received a kidney transplant. Five years later, after his transplanted kidney went into full rejection, his wife LaKishia approached him about becoming his donor. Because she was not a biological match, LaKishia continued to research possibilities and learned about paired exchange programs. On September 27, 2010, JePahl received a kidney from Jessica Jurado, who donated on behalf of her mother, who received a life-saving kidney transplant as part of a chain. LaKishia's donated kidney was transplanted two days later to a recipient in Pennsylvania. "I have a new family bond with Jessica and enjoy the new 'sister' in our family," JePahl acknowledged.

JePahl's Story

In his senior year in high school, JePahl decided to join the military to earn money for college. The standard physical turned up a surprising hereditary kidney problem. At age 21, JePahl started dialysis three times per week, for four hours each treatment. Being placed on the kidney transplant waiting list gave him hope.

It wasn't until eight years later, in June 2004, that JePahl received a kidney transplant. The hopes and aspirations that he was fighting for became that much closer.

"I felt that someone who heard accurate information led to the decision that saved my life," he said. "I wanted to ensure that people from all communities, particularly minority communities, hear accurate information about organ, eye and tissue donation."

When JePahl asked LaKishia to marry him, he had no idea that the love of his life would actually end up saving his life. It was January 2009 when JePahl began to feel ill, and a visit to the emergency room revealed that his transplanted kidney was in full rejection. They were sent to San Francisco immediately to remove the kidney.

JePahl was back on dialysis. Soon thereafter, LaKishia approached him about becoming his donor, but as it turned out she was not a biological match for JePahl. Undeterred, LaKishia continued to research possibilities and learned about paired exchange programs across the country. Through a paired exchange with another incompatible donor-recipient pair, LaKishia could still donate to JePahl.

This possibility became a reality on September 27, 2010, when JePahl received a kidney from Jessica Jurado at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. Jessica donated on behalf of her mother, who in turn received a life-saving kidney from another donor as part of a chain of transplants. LaKishia's donated kidney was transplanted two days later to a recipient in Pennsylvania.

This experience has enriched JePahl greatly. "I have a new family bond with Jessica and enjoy the new 'sister' in our family," he acknowledged. "I believe the gift of life crosses all color lines, genders, and ethnicities; it is a beautiful way to honor the uniqueness of all human beings."

Today, JePahl works as a community organizer in Fresno, Calif. His gift of life allows him to give back, and to him that is what life is all about.