Patient Success Stories

Jeremy Maynard and his wife, Hannah, never imagined how profoundly their wedding vows of “in sickness and in health” would be tested. Their story, however, is about overcoming adversity and using their experience to advocate for future kidney transplant patients.

• Jeremy was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) just weeks after his wedding, requiring immediate dialysis and an urgent kidney transplant. 
• Jeremy’s wife, Hannah, donated her kidney to save his life. UC Health provided expert and expedited care to both Jeremy and Hannah throughout the living kidney donation and the transplant, ensuring their personal goals for life beyond transplant were at the center of the conversation.  
• Following the successful kidney transplant, Jeremy regained his health, returning to work, weightlifting, and running. The couple finally began their lives together, out of the hospital. 
• UC Health went above and beyond by prioritizing fertility and family planning discussions and integrating patient advocacy into care improvements, setting a new standard for future kidney transplant patients.

“It is such a testament to this team that you all remember us by name and our story among so many patients,” Jeremy says. “It’s an honor to be a small part of the great things this team is doing.” 

If you or a loved one needs care, you can contact the leader in kidney transplantation in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky at 513-584-7001, submit an online self-referral form , or visit  https://www.uchealth.com/en/transplant/kidney-pancreas-transplant. 

Boundless care is more than treating a patient’s immediate needs—it’s about going above and beyond to empower them, give them a voice to shape the future of care and create lasting improvements for generations of patients to come.

A Sudden Decline

Jeremy was first diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) without renal involvement in 2013 and had been in remission until late 2021. Just a month after their October 8, 2021, wedding, Jeremy began feeling flu-like symptoms. By November 8, he was admitted to the ER with excessive fatigue, high fever, and loss of appetite. Blood tests revealed a shocking creatinine level of 13, a severe indicator of kidney failure. Within days, Jeremy was diagnosed with an acute kidney injury and began emergency dialysis, blood transfusions and plasmapheresis.

“I went into the ER thinking that I just had a fever,” Jeremy recalls. “But they told me not to worry; dialysis will hopefully be temporary. I was discharged to complete a few more months of dialysis to see if my kidneys would recover. Unfortunately, after three months in the dialysis center, they told me 'You're going to need a kidney. You're now classified with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).'"

The months that followed were a whirlwind of medical procedures, lifestyle changes and uncertainty. “It was surreal. I had to adapt to dietary restrictions and manage dialysis while navigating the emotional toll of waiting for a transplant,” Jeremy shares. Despite these challenges, hope came from close to home through his wife, Hannah. 

A Perfect Match

Fifteen people volunteered to be a living kidney donor for Jeremy, but it was Hannah who proved to be the best match. “It felt like a miracle,” Jeremy says. “The person I chose to spend my life with was the one who could save it.”

On March 6, 2022, the kidney transplant was successfully performed by the skilled team at UC Health. The operation marked a turning point, giving Jeremy a second chance at life, and the couple renewed hope for their future.

Advocating for Family Planning and Fertility

For Jeremy and Hannah, the transplant journey extended beyond the surgery. As newlyweds, they had planned to start a family within a few years, but the illness and treatment raised significant questions about fertility—questions they found were rarely addressed.

“We were in survival mode,” Jeremy explains. “But we did ask my rheumatologist in Lexington whether the medication I was on would affect fertility. The answers we received were vague, and nephrologists at my hometown health provider never addressed it.” When tests revealed a complete absence of sperm, the couple turned to their own research, uncovering gaps in available guidance.

Their persistence paid off when they began discussing these concerns with their care team at UC Health. “Dr. Silski not only listened but also researched the potential impact of immunosuppression on fertility and added recommendations to my file for future family planning,” Jeremy notes.

Latifa Silski, MD, an expert transplant surgeon at UC Health, is known for consistently going the extra mile to connect with her patients and educate them for success. She acknowledges the importance of including fertility in the conversation.

“The true goal of transplant is to get people back to the life they want to live. Not just to survive but to thrive, “Dr. Silski says. “We have to see the whole person and address all the concerns, not just the segments of care. Whether that is a grandmother that wants to spend time with grandchildren or a couple wanting to begin their family, our job is to decrease barriers to the patient’s best life.”

Filling the Gaps

Through their experience, the Maynards identified critical gaps in patient education about family planning for transplant patients. They learned that most resources focused on pregnancy prevention rather than intentional family planning, leaving young couples like themselves in the dark.

“The assumption seems to be that kidney failure affects older patients who aren’t planning families,” Jeremy observes. “But for younger patients, early advice on freezing sperm or eggs could be life changing.”

Amit Govil, MD, Medical Director Kidney Transplant and Director of Nephrology at UC Health emphasizes the transplant team’s commitment to addressing the holistic needs of patients, recognizing their well-being extends beyond physical health.

“We focus on emotional, reproductive, and social well-being. We are actively working on initiatives like family planning education, empowering patients with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their future. Through these efforts, we strive to enhance not only patient outcomes but also their overall quality of life,” says Dr. Govil.

With the support of UC Health’s patient-centric approach, the couple advocated for incorporating these discussions into transplant education. “The transplant coordinators and Dr. Silski spearheaded efforts to address these gaps and ensure this information reaches patients earlier in their journey,” Hannah says.

Building on their advocacy efforts, the Maynards collaborated with Silvi Shah, MD, a physician-scientist specializing in women’s health, kidney disease, and cardiovascular health, and Sunshine Barhorst, Nurse Practitioner in Transplant Nephrology, to present on family planning at the National Kidney Foundation.

Dr. Shah leads a multidisciplinary lab focused on pregnancy, sex disparities, health equity, and cardiovascular health in the context of kidney disease. Her research revealed that women with advanced kidney disease often lack access to contraception due to gaps in knowledge, inadequate interdisciplinary care coordination, and limited counseling.

“As a result of this research, we developed an educational pamphlet designed to foster meaningful conversations about family planning, helping patients make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” says Dr. Shah.

Sunshine adds, “This research highlights significant gaps in reproductive health care. By leveraging evidence-based practices, we can develop tools that improve patient care and ultimately lead to better outcomes. It’s exceptional when we can drive process improvements based on the voices of our patients.”

A New Beginning

Today, the Maynards are enjoying a “pretty normal life” and planning their future with a renewed appreciation for their relationship and health.

“It’s like a night and day difference. Jeremy’s already like a really happy, sunny person, and it’s like his light came back,” shares Hannah as she recalls her husband’s journey to getting a new kidney.

The couple’s advice for others facing similar challenges is simple yet profound: “Be proactive about family planning. Freeze sperm or eggs early, and don’t be afraid to ask your doctors tough questions. Most importantly, know that there is life after a transplant.”

Gratitude for UC Health

The Maynards are deeply grateful to the entire UC Health transplant staff for their exceptional care. “We would like to thank the entire team for giving me my life back,” Jeremy shares. “I’m able to work and contribute to medical innovation, and I’m back to working with 185 lbs. on bench press and running intervals again.”

Jeremy reflects on a pivotal moment: “It was clear that dialysis was not going to be a solution much longer, and UC graciously moved my transplant date up a week, saving me from having to restart several transplant list requirements.”

Looking back on their 2-year journey, they are grateful for the personalized care they received. “Thank you for giving us the chance at a normal life,” they conclude. “We are so thankful for the gift of this team.”

A Legacy of Advocacy

The Maynards’ advocacy work has already started making an impact. By sharing their kidney transplant story and collaborating with UC Health, they hope to ensure that future patients receive the guidance and resources they need to navigate their medical challenges and their dreams of building a family.

“We want people to know there is hope,” Hannah concludes. “A transplant is not the end; it’s a new beginning.”

If you or a family member need a kidney transplant and would like to learn more about our transplant program or transplant reproductive health, visit https://www.uchealth.com/en/transplant/kidney-pancreas-transplant, call 513-584-7001, or submit an  online referral form.

You can also become a living kidney donor just like Hannah. If you're interested in becoming a living donor, the UC Health team is here to help you on your organ donation journey. Get started by completing the living donor form.