From CU Boulder parent Bevin Trennert:
My husband Jason (57) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) in March of this year. Upon his diagnosis he was immediately admitted to the hospital with kidney failure: a serious effect of myeloma. He recently completed seven months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and is now cancer-free. Throughout his illness and for the rest of his life, he will have to have dialysis treatments three to four times per week. As a result of chemotherapy, Jason has also experienced nerve damage in his legs (neuropathy) and for a few months, reduced to using a walker. Through physical therapy, we hope his mobility will return over the next year.
It has been a brutal seven months, physically for my husband and emotionally for the whole family. We feel like the rug has been pulled out from under us. Jason was at the peak of his career, presenting to clients all over the world while managing a company. In the wake of his diagnosis, he had to turn down a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. He has always been a loving father and husband and truly the keystone of the family. It has become more apparent to us over the last few months how blessed we are to be able to rely on our Catholic faith, family and friends.
We were thrilled to learn that the doctors at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Kidney Transplant Program believe Jason would be able to return to an active and productive life (without dialysis) with a kidney transplant via a living donor.
Living donors
The average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor is over five years. However, living donor kidney transplantation is considered the gold standard, with better outcomes and without a long wait. Through our participation in kidney exchange via the National Kidney Registry, I was approved and plan to donate a kidney on Jason’s behalf in a few months. Although we are not a match, the National Kidney Registry will connect my kidney to another patient while they find a compatible donor for Jason. Finding a compatible donor through friends and family is a long shot, but it would greatly accelerate the transplant process and increase the chances of post-operative success.
How you can help
Doctors at Weill Cornell said Jason can receive an organ faster in the chain depending on the options the doctors have available to them. Asking someone to consider being a donor is difficult for us. We hate asking for favors in matters big and small. We know it’s an unusual request, however this is not a request for commitment, only an appeal to get tested. Jason has O+ blood type. Are you or a friend O+? You don’t have to be, but that would be very helpful.
Would you or someone you know consider coming forward to be tested? Be tested as a potential donor for Jason or register as a potential donor.
This will enable the Weill Cornell living donor team to reach out to you to discuss testing and to set up some basic lab work that can be done close to home at no cost to you. All conversations with the living donor team are confidential. There is no obligation to donate, and potential donors can back out at any time. Unless you inform us yourselves, we will not know who has been tested.
Call the Weill Cornell Living Donor Program at 212-746-3922.
Please share Jason’s story
We are asking humbly for two things: 1) to get tested if you would consider being a donor; 2) share this story with your network. The more people who hear about this need, the higher the chances of finding a donor. We hear that donors are usually friends of friends and/or people who are seeking a “sign” or an opportunity to present itself to them. Many people have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time.
We thank you so much for your consideration and support. We hope you consider being tested or think about any people you know who would like to learn more about organ donation.
With love,
Bevin Trennert
CU Boulder parent – Dom 2026
