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.”
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.”
Jake 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.
