Sunlight peeked through the gaps of a large tree in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park as James and Jerry Lanz wrapped their arms around each other.
The brothers — both in their 70s — have always been close. But it’s not just a brotherly bond that connects them; a vital organ does so, too.
More than 50 years ago, James Lanz donated his kidney to his younger brother, Jerry, during a time when kidney transplants were still considered experimental. Now, it is one of the most commonly transplanted organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2022, more than 25,000 kidney transplants were performed across the United States. For comparison, between 1966 and 1985, 247 kidneys were transplanted in the U.S., according to the National Library of Medicine.
On average, a kidney from a living donor lasts about 12 to 20 years, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Jerry Lanz, 75, of Portland is one of the longest-surviving transplant recipients in the U.S., according to findings by The Columbian and the National Kidney Foundation. The Guinness World Record for the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient is a woman who donated a kidney to her twin in 1960.
“I certainly hope more people would consider being organ and kidney donors,” said James Lanz, 76, of Vancouver. “You can donate to a family member, a friend or even a neighbor who needs one. There’s not enough people willing to donate a kidney, so we have many people on the waiting list or on dialysis.”
50 years of wonderful
In the summer of 1970, the Lanz brothers had just started a backpacking trip to Europe.
Beforehand, Jerry Lanz — then 20 years old — had been experiencing illness, and some of his lab test results were higher than his doctor liked. But with the trip looming, his doctor said he could do additional testing overseas, if needed.
Ten days into their trip, Jerry Lanz became ill in London.
“I was in the waiting room, and a nurse came out and said, ‘Your brother is very, very sick,’” James Lanz recalled.
Jerry Lanz was hospitalized for about a month — diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, which is caused by inflammation to the filtering part of the kidneys. The brothers flew home together, and Jerry Lanz was hospitalized again in their home state, Michigan.
Jerry Lanz did not want to be on dialysis, so James, then 22, another Lanz brother and their mother tested to see if they’d be a blood and tissue match. James Lanz was a match.
“I’ve always been very appreciative of James and the fact that James’ match was so good for me,” Jerry Lanz said. “I was fortunate that I had family members who were willing to get tested and donate.”
Jerry Lanz spent six months in the hospital. The kidney transplant took place Feb. 17, 1971.
Since then, he’s lived a healthy and active life. Alongside James Lanz, he moved from Michigan to the West Coast. Jerry Lanz worked as a schoolteacher, an outdoor guide in Alaska and Oregon, and a commercial fisherman.
“I’ve had 50 years of wonderful living since the transplant,” Jerry Lanz said. “If I had not had the chance to get a transplant, I might have lasted maybe 10 years on dialysis.”
More time together
The brothers both encourage others to donate a kidney if they’ve been considering it.
Every eight minutes, someone is added to the U.S. kidney transplant list, according to Donate Life America. Kidneys are among the most-needed transplanted organs, with more than 90,000 people in the U.S. waiting.
Every year, about 5,000 people on the waiting list die before getting a transplant.
James Lanz said he doesn’t consider giving his kidney to his brother a noble act; to him, it was a pretty much a no-brainer.
The experience ultimately pivoted his career into a new direction. He went back to school to become a registered nurse — a field in which he worked for more than 30 years.
“My life has been great,” James Lanz said. “And it’s been extra great because my brother is one of my best friends and we got the chance to spend a lot more time together.”ontent. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
