Jeff Leone

Organ recipient

Age 56 – Denver, CO

Honored by Donor Alliance

Jeff’s Story

Jeff Leone considers all organ donors and their families heroes. He knows this to be true because he has received two kidneys in his life—one from a 23-year-old man who died in a car accident, and the other from his wife.

A bruised kidney in 1984 took Jeff to the doctor where he’d eventually learn he had kidney disease. Twelve years later, he entered end-stage kidney failure and began dialysis. Plans to receive a kidney from his brother were halted at the last minute. After the discovery and removal of a large tumor on his small intestine, Jeff learned that the tumor would have likely killed him had he received his brother’s kidney. Jeff counted his blessings and accepted the fact that he’d wait several years for his transplant.

On Dec. 18, 1999 at age 38 Jeff received his first transplant. When Jeff and his family learned of his gift, they were ecstatic at first, only to be overcome with the realization that someone else was grieving the loss of their loved one that had made the decision to become a donor.

Jeff’s donor was Christopher Mendoza. His mother, Lena, had respected her son’s wishes to donate his organs after he was tragically killed in a car accident. Christopher’s gift allowed Jeff to complete his master’s degree and fulfill his dream of becoming a high school science teacher – a career he enjoyed in Denver’s public school system for 13 years until he again approached end-stage kidney failure.

Even though she had not previously met the requirements, Jeff’s wife Robin was a suitable match for his second transplant thanks to advances in medical technology. She gave him a kidney in January of 2013.

Since his second transplant, Jeff fulfills his passion for science and teaching as one of Donor Alliance’s Transplantation Science Educators where he teaches the science behind and importance of donation and transplantation to thousands of young people across Colorado and Wyoming each year. Jeff is also an avid cyclist who rides cycling events with his wife and inspires others by accomplishing new feats every year. He also competes in the Transplant Games as a cyclist, runner, and swimmer.