A journey of exploration and hope: Jeff Blumenfeld's story

Jeff Blumenfeld, a long-time resident of Boulder, Colorado, has always been driven by a spirit of adventure and exploration. As a member of The Explorers Club (explorers.org), Jeff has completed projects in some of the most remote and challenging locations on Earth, including Antarctica, Nepal, Norway, and Iceland. His passion for exploration led him to write a publication about his adventures called ExpeditionNews.com, and author two books.

However, Jeff's adventurous life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 2009. Following a nephrectomy, his remaining kidney began to fail in 2020. By the time his glomerular filtration rate (GFR) hit 18, he was in need of dialysis and desperately hoping to find a living kidney donor. As his GFR dropped to 8 just before his transplant surgery in November 2023, Jeff found himself in a dire situation.

Despite the support of his immediate family, none of them met the qualifications to be a match for Jeff. Determined to find a donor, Jeff turned to the community for help. He became the poster child for paired exchange, utilizing billboards, car signs, TV appearances, celebrity tweets, social media outreach, e-blasts, and support from various clubs and associations to spread his plea.

A woman in Boulder, who had lost her son and donated all his organs to save at least 70 lives, saw Jeff's plea and felt compelled to step up and donate. Although she was not a direct match, her generosity secured Jeff a kidney voucher. Three months later, a better match was found through the National Kidney Registry (NKR), and a kidney was flown to AdventHealth Porter from Sacramento the morning of Jeff's surgery.

Today, Jeff remains in touch with his first donor but has not heard from the second donor whose kidney keeps him alive. His journey has taught him the importance of perseverance and the power of community support.

For those currently on the waitlist, Jeff's advice is clear: finding a living donor is your new job. In addition to staying healthy and ready for ‘the call’, you must work on telling your story every day to everyone. You need to market yourself like a political candidate, seeking someone to step forward with a life-giving organ.

April is Donate Life Month, a time to educate around the critical need for more organs. Jeff believes that any healthy person with two kidneys can save a life, and that saving a life is one of the greatest gifts one person can give to another. For those considering organ donation, Jeff encourages taking advantage of the range of resources available to answer questions about organ donation, which is said to be safer than giving birth. He recommends starting with NKDO.org and looking at the hard-core Kidney Donor Athletes who climb mountains, run races, and compete in team sports after donation. (www.KidneyDonorAthlete.org)

Jeff’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible impact one person can have on the lives of others. As we celebrate Donate Life Month, let us be inspired by Jeff's journey and the countless others who have given and received the gift of life. To learn more about the living kidney donor program at AdventHealth Porter, please visit: Liver and Kidney Transplant Center | AdventHealth Porter