Patient Turned Volunteer and Advocate: @gerryp Tells his Story

Apr 26 10:52am | Kristin Eggebraaten | @keggebraaten | Comments (5)

Often, patients who feel strongly about the care they received at Mayo Clinic want to give back. They give back in many different ways, but one of our favorite ways is when they become Mayo employees or volunteers! Our very own @gerryp has become a celebrity, at least on Mayo Clinic News Network and social media. Before returning to work full time, he volunteered on the transplant floor as a nurse aide. He has also remained active in his support group, offers hope and mentorship to members of Mayo Clinic Connect, and spends time promoting organ donation.

“No words can describe how incredibly grateful I am for my donor’s final act of generosity.” – Gerry

A heartfelt thanks for all you do, Gerry!

Read more about Gerry’s story on the Mayo Clinic News Network.

HELPFUL LINKS

Learn about organ donation from Mayo Clinic
Register to become a living donor
Learn more about our discussion group at Mayo Clinic Connect

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Transplant blog.

gap | @gerryp | Apr 26 11:12am

Thank you Kristin. One of the many benefits of regaining my health has been my ability to help others get through the transplant process & raise awareness of the need for more organ donors. It’s the least I can do!

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 26 4:44pm

Hi, Gerry! Thank you for sharing your story with all of the bumps, bruises, and complications along the journey to your victorious liver transplant. As a transplant recipient, I can easily identify with many of your pretransplant events. I also am a Mayo transplant recipient who credits the Mayo (MN) Transplant Team for my own successful transplant.
Gerry, yours is an especially meaningful article for me, because I have had the honor of "knowing you" already though the Transplant Support Group on Connect.
I wish you many more opportunities to share your story and promote organ donation...and enjoy your time with your grandbaby.

gap | @gerryp | Apr 26 6:07pm

Thanks Rosemary. I credit a lot of my good health post transplant - to all those on the Support Group who kept encouraging me to keep the faith when things were very dark. They helped me believe that I would regain my health - and they were right! It’s been my pleasure to get to know so many other, healthy, active transplant recipients. We are all members of an exclusive club.

bobweller | @bobweller | Apr 27 5:38pm

I volunteer around Cleveland, Ohio for various transplant support groups like LifeBanc and Transplant House.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 1 1:38pm

I appreciate you sharing your remarkable story, Gerry! Choosing to give back to others as a volunteer was a great way to say, "thank-you." No doubt, you have inspired others as you share your experiences. I'm sure it helps them along their own journey.