HASKELL, NJ — This Father’s Day carries a deeper meaning for the Greene family of Haskell, as they celebrate a gift far greater than anything wrapped in a box — the gift of life.
Just days before Father’s Day in 2019, Jordan Greene donated one of his kidneys to his father, Sean Greene, helping save his life and giving their family a renewed future together.
“I love my dad so very much, and I couldn’t stand to see him suffer,” said Jordan. “It felt like I was giving life to the person who gave it to me.”
Sean had been battling Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that attacks the kidneys’ filtering functions and can lead to permanent damage. In 2003, Sean received a lifesaving kidney donation from his sister, but years later, that kidney began to fail. Doctors told him he would soon need dialysis and another transplant to survive.
Jordan, then a student at the University of Hartford, already knew in his heart what he wanted to do.
“I remember hearing as a kid that the kidney my dad got from my aunt wouldn’t last forever,” said Jordan. “I always knew that one day, I would help him next.”
After testing revealed Jordan was a match, father and son underwent surgery together in side-by-side operating rooms at Hackensack University Medical Center on June 10, 2019.
For Sean, accepting such an extraordinary gift from his son was emotional and difficult.
“I had always hoped this day might never come,” said Sean. “As a father, how could I put my son through this? But my son stepped up to the plate without hesitation, and I’m forever grateful.”
The successful transplant gave the Greene family something they feared they might lose — more healthy years together and a renewed appreciation for everyday moments.
“We as a family have grown closer than ever thanks to donation,” said Jordan. “I hope that anyone who is considering becoming a living donor does it because it can really change someone’s life for the better.”
Jordan’s mother, Lisa Johnson, described the experience as both frightening and inspiring.
“It was scary because the two men in my life were going into surgery together,” she said. “But seeing the love and strength between them was something I’ll never forget.”
Six years later, the experience continues to shape their family’s outlook, serving as a daily reminder of the power of organ donation and the importance of never taking time together for granted.
This Father’s Day, the Greene family is sharing their story to help raise awareness for NJ Sharing Network about the urgent need for living donors and registered organ and tissue donors. Their message is simple but powerful: one selfless decision can give a family more birthdays, more holidays, and more time together.
“If sharing our story encourages even one person to register as a donor or consider living donation, then it’s worth it,” said Jordan. “There are so many families still waiting for hope, and one decision can truly save a life.”
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and NJ Sharing Network, more than 100,000 Americans — including nearly 4,000 New Jerseyans — are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. To learn more about living kidney donation and deceased organ and tissue donation, visit NJ Sharing Network’s website at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
PHOTO #1: Jordan Greene and his father, Sean Greene (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
PHOTO #2: Jordan Greene (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)