If things had gone the way they appeared to be headed a couple of years ago, Jeremy Ioane would be at an NFL team’s rookie camp and his sister Jasmine would be continuing on a blossoming career as a softball coach.
Both recently graduated from college, Boise State for Jeremy and Weber State for Jasmine.
But, Tuesday, on a day when other young people were out celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Jeremy and Jasmine were recovering from major surgeries in Salt Lake City. As their parents, Matt and Doris, did for them 23 years ago, Jasmine provided her brother with the gift of life. In this case, one of her kidneys.
Jeremy has a rare disease called IgA nephropathy that attacked his body three years ago and never let up. What’s even more rare is that this affliction would strike someone so young. Jeremy — the quintessential strong, silent type — kept it a secret as long as possible and played football for the Broncos through pain and treatment that included chemotherapy.
He maintained his high level of play as an all-conference safety for longer than seemed humanly possible. Finally, last season, his senior year, it was too much. Jeremy’s kidney function dropped dangerously low and it became clear he would need a transplant.
The waiting game started, as the search for a match for a kidney in someone willing to donate one started. Jasmine, finishing up school at Weber State, began undergoing the extensive testing.
Eventually, it was determined — as hoped — that she is a match. And, after Tuesday’s surgeries, one of her kidneys is now Jeremy’s.
Matt and Doris Ioane reported on Facebook that doctors told them the surgeries were a success and had gone as "smooth as possible." Both Jasmine and Jeremy were resting and recovering.
We won’t know for months, maybe even years, if the kidney takes to its new body. But because they are siblings and twins the chances are better than usual.
And the chances of the Ioane family not facing financial ruin are much improved due to generosity of people in Idaho and Hawaii who have so far raised around $140,000 to defray expenses that will exceed that amount, even with Medicaid kicking in.
An event at Murphy’s Bar & Grill on Sunday brought in a big chunk of that.
In a YouTube video produced by his Punahou teammate Alaka’i Aglipay recently, Jeremy looked a lot better than he did just a few months ago. Chemotherapy and dialysis treatments were ramped up to prep him for the surgery.
"Sorry I can’t be (at the fundraiser). I have surgery in two days, which is a good thing," Jeremy said, while expressing his gratitude to all involved. "I hope to see you all soon when I’m healthy again."
Imagine the emotions of Matt and Doris on Tuesday. It had to be a parent’s best day and worst day, combined. Two children under the knife, but one to save the other.
"A sense of helplessness," said Amalia Hilliard, a family friend and one of the key fundraising organizers. "But at the same time a sense of joy."
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.
