Veteran shares struggle in hopes to inspire “at least one”

Richard "Jake" Jacobson and his dog at a sunflower farm

Richard “Jake” Jacobson’s motto is “at least one.” 

“My hope is that by sharing my story, I might help at least one person who is struggling,” said Jake. “Not just someone on the waiting list or who recently had a transplant, but anyone.” 

Richard "Jake" Jacobson on active duty overseas.The Marquette native joined the Air Force in 2001, following the attacks on Sept. 11. He served for 15 years until he was honorably discharged in Oct. 2016. After his service ended, Jake experienced PTSD and depression for years. Following a discussion with his children in late 2022, he decided he needed to make a change. 

On Jan. 10, 2023, Jake was admitted to UP Health Systems in Marquette. He had severe symptoms of liver failure. His medical team decided to fly him to U of M in Ann Arbor for extensive testing and treatment that same day. 

“I was a walking Bart Simpson,” he said. “We laugh about it now, but looking at the photos, it’s scary.” 

At the hospital, doctors told him if the medication and treatments didn’t work, he had until April to live. He knew he had to prove them wrong. 

During this time, Jake was also watching his mother battle the same illness. She passed away that February. Seeing how this impacted his father and thinking of his children, Jake knew he had to do whatever he could to be there for his family. 

“I had seen two of my kids graduate, but I still had three more to go,” said Jake. “I just thought, I’ve got too much life to live. Going through the process, the mental part of it, was what kept me alive. I always thought that saying of having the will to live was a cliché, but I’m a living testament that its real.” 

Richard "Jake" Jacobson  at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor with a Superman statueJake continued to do what his medical team asked. He changed his diet. He took his medication and followed the treatment plans. But by July, his medical team decided that Jake needed a liver transplant to live. He joined the waiting list on Sept. 8. 

“I didn’t know how to feel, it was a mixture of relief, but also absolute fear,” he said. “I would have never fathomed in any of my nightmares, that this would be happening to me.” 

On Sept. 11, Jake received the call from his doctor that a matching liver had been donated. His wife Kaycee drove him the six and a half hours to Ann Arbor. After testing, his medical team decided he was too sick for the transplant. It would be another seven days before he finally received his new liver.  

Post-surgery, Kaycee helped Jake tremendously. A registered nurse, she knew the importance physical therapy would have during his recovery and made sure he continued to work at it. Being a long car ride away from home, Jake and Kaycee were able to stay at the Fisher House, a home for military and veteran families who are experiencing a medical crisis.  

On the one-year anniversary of his life-saving liver transplant, Jake launched the podcast “Survivor’s Strength,” where he shares his experiences as a veteran, father, husband, and transplant recipient to help others. He also hopes to share the story of his donor, Lynn, whose generosity saved his life.  

“If I could say anything to Lynn it would be thank you for being a selfless person and agreeing to be an organ donor,” he said. “I would tell her how grateful I was for that selfless act. That is a gift that I’ll never forget and that my family will never forget. If anyone hears my story and is inspired to change their life, it’s really because of her.” 

The best way to save lives is by joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Sign up today by visiting golm.org/register 

شارك مع صديق
قراءة المزيد من المشاركات

Dior Chambers is waiting for that life-saving gift

Dior Chambers is no stranger to kidney disease. It has touched every corner of her…

اقرأ أكثر

Michigan Senate recognizes April as Donate Life Month, introduces new bills focused on organ, eye and tissue donation education

Today, the Michigan Senate adopted Sen. Kevin Daley’s (R-Lum) resolution to recognize April 2025 as…

اقرأ أكثر

“I’m so thankful I’m here and for the gift of life”

Brett Bowman, from Woodhaven, Mich., was born with cystic fibrosis. Growing up he was in…

اقرأ أكثر
Londel Cook is living life to the fullest after his kidney transplant.

“Where I was, was not who I was.”

When Saginaw-area resident Londel Cook was diagnosed with end stage renal failure at a young…

اقرأ أكثر
Shalonda Griffin with her late husband, Greg Jones

Turning pain into purpose

Gift of Life Michigan Community Outreach Coordinator Shalonda Griffin’s late husband Greg was the ‘greatest…

اقرأ أكثر

Donor mother Debra Wyant to receive Gift of Life Michigan’s Honoring Life Through Donation Award, May 2

Debra Wyant, the mother of Michigan’s first and only hand donor, has exemplified what it…

اقرأ أكثر
انتقل إلى أعلى