Father and Daughter Give the Gift of Life - Jack and Lauren Marschall

Cleveland Father and Daughter Donate the Gift of Life Together

Former Cleveland TV personality Jack Marschall saw the large lump on his brother-in-law’s arm—the site of the port used for his dialysis.  Ken Jakubecz had been going to dialysis three times a week for almost eight years.  He’s a Vietnam Vet who has had a rough time of it, dealing with serious health issues for much of his adult life.  He was on the kidney transplant waiting list for eight years.  When Jack learned his brother-in-law needed a kidney, he was ready to make the sacrifice.  “It bothered me to think how hard that must be for him.  I think that’s when I made the decision,” Jack said.  As it turned out, the two men were incompatible.  But Jack’s adult daughter, Lauren, was a perfect match.  “I had a gut feeling that I would be a perfect match,” she said.

Lauren stepped up.  She said she got the idea while watching her father go through the compatibility tests.  When he learned he was not compatible, she said, it seemed obvious what she had to do.  Her uncle said he was pleasantly surprised the day he received a call from his niece, telling him of her plans.  “I had been cleared for a possible transplant by the hospital,” he said.  “Then I got a call from Lauren, who said she had been cleared, too.  She said she wanted to give me a kidney.  I was shocked.  I had no idea she was pursuing this.  I can’t say how grateful I am.”

Though disappointed, Jack was determined to still give the Gift of Life through the Paired Donation Network.  On September 11, 2007, both Jack and Lauren entered the Cleveland Clinic.  A surgical team removed one of Lauren’s kidneys and it was transplanted into her uncle.  “It was an easy choice.  I have two kidneys.  I can live with one.  Why not help a person I love?” Lauren said.  At the same time, Jack donated his kidney to a stranger.  The same doctor removed both kidneys and said, “Everyone wins.”

 “Jack and Lauren are extraordinary individuals,” said Gordon Bowen, CEO for Lifebanc. “They have gone to great lengths to promote organ donation and increase registration rates in the community,” continued Bowen.  “Their efforts have helped save lives.”

Jack has been a longtime volunteer for Lifebanc, northeast Ohio’s organ and tissue recovery agency.  “It is amazing knowing that parts of our bodies are now hard at work inside other human beings,” Jack said.  “I see miracles every day in the small things that we might consider coincidences or plain lucky situations.  And I certainly consider our kidney donation a miracle, and then some.”

Jack and Lauren are doing great. “We feel just as good if not better than we did before donating one of our kidneys,” Jack said.  “Giving the Gift of Life has changed our lives in such a positive way. Yes, we are still going about our business at work and at home, but we never stop talking about our donation,” Lauren said.

Ken’s quality of life has drastically improved.  Jack says Ken looks ten years younger and has more energy than in recent memory.  The recipient of Jack’s kidney is also doing well.  He says it gives him a new lease on life.  “It was a great journey we will share with others for the rest of our lives,” Jack said.

You have the power to save lives by becoming a registered organ and tissue donor right now or by saying "yes" when renewing your driver license or state ID at the BMV.