More Than a Glass of Water

How did this happen?

The cause of Jim’s kidney disease may always remain a mystery. The best guess is that it might have been related to his post-cancer screening that began 15 years ago.

Following his diagnosis of lymphoma, Jim had numerous scans using contrast to recheck for recurrence. Contrast greatly increases the accuracy of diagnostic scanning, but it can be hard on some patients’ kidneys. 

At one point, a member of his clinical team mentioned that Jim might want to get his kidneys checked because the scans revealed some shrinkage of both kidneys.

That’s when he was referred to the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center – Grand Rapids Campus, which has performed more than 3,200 kidney transplants during its 52-year history. 

Jim’s diagnosis

Things looked grim for Jim. His kidney disease was advanced, and it was almost certain that he would soon need to be placed on dialysis. Jim’s care team had visited his home to prepare him and Georgianne for home dialysis.

“For patients deemed kidney transplant candidates, the best outcomes are achieved if the kidney transplant is completed before dialysis (pre-emptive kidney transplantation). At the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center, nephrologists recognize the benefits of pre-emptive kidney transplant and are all working diligently to increase the incidence,” said nephrologist Dan Legault, MD.

Hoping to avoid dialysis, in October 2024, Jim was placed on the National Kidney Registry, which pairs living donors with patients experiencing kidney failure. The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center is the only adult kidney program in Michigan that partners with the National Kidney Registry.

Jim was grateful for the help he received from the Transplant Center. “They removed the chaos,” he said. The staff guided him as he completed the steps to create a website profile for donors to view.

“Every month I was getting notices from my website that one hundred people or two hundred people had looked at my profile,” Jim shared. “At the time I was 76 years old, and the projected average wait time for a donor match was four to seven years. The cutoff age for receiving a kidney from a live donor is 80 years old. The odds of it ever happening were slim to none.”

Spreading the word

Jim had joined the Knights of Columbus at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Grandville, but he left because he needed a more spiritual focus in the free time he had to spend. His needs made a strong impression on the knights.

After considering Jim’s decision, the Knights’ Council decided to form a subgroup called the Silent Knights, who committed to pray for the mission of the knights and the parish. 
Seeing a positive change, Jim joined the Silent Knights. That’s when a fellow knight sent out an email asking for prayer for Jim along with a link to his kidney transplant profile. 

Jim’s future was in God’s hands.

Enter Ike Yskes

Meanwhile, unbeknown to Jim, a member of the Knights of Columbus at his parish, Steve “Ike” Yskes, felt called by the Holy Spirit to respond to the email and see if he could be a match. In his heart, Ike was absolutely certain that he would be a match.

Ike’s decision to give his kidney to Jim was a direct result of daily prayer. But before he clicked on the link in the email, Ike waited to speak to his wife, Cheryl, who is a nurse. 

“My wife got home from work, I showed her the email about Jim and told her what I wanted to do, and she said, ‘Yes, that makes sense,’” Ike shared. Cheryl was in full support of Ike’s decision.

With the tests completed, a committee reviewed Ike’s results, and he was notified on March 4, 2025, that he was approved to donate his kidney. That’s when he called Jim.

Good news

“We have a God with a sense of humor,” Jim said. “I got the word about my transplant when I was at a Bible study. I never bring my phone to those meetings, but that day I did. We were discussing something serious when my phone rang. 

“Out of respect for the members, I didn’t answer my phone. I knew it would take a message. But it rang again, and then again. Finally, I said, ‘Maybe I’ll take it. Maybe it’s someone wanting to give me a kidney,’” said Jim. “Everyone laughed.” 

It was Ike calling.

“He said, ‘Jim, I just want you to know that I have undergone tests during the last few months. I have been approved to tell you that I can give you my kidney. We’re a match.’”
Jim had to stop and think. He and Georgianne didn’t know Ike other than to say hello. The couples attended different masses, so their paths rarely crossed. 

Clearly, God had Jim’s back!

The transplant

“Everything went masterfully. Everything was smooth,” Jim shared. He felt good enough to go home after only three and a half days in the hospital.
Surgeon Joel Stracke, DO, agrees with Jim’s remarks. “Mr. Everhart’s surgery went very well. It was a little different because his donor had two renal veins that we had to use, instead of the standard single vein. Outside of that, his surgery was successful. Mr. Everhart is very fortunate to have found a donor like Mr. Yskes, and I consider myself lucky to be a small part of their story.”

Ike had it a bit easier. “For me, having surgery was like going on a cruise,” Ike shared. “After the surgery, they took me to my room, and they kept asking me about my pain. I took my meds and I didn’t have any pain. The same day I went to see Jim.”

Ike went home the day after surgery to heal. He was off work for three weeks. 

Jim and Ike are passionate about spreading the word about the need for transplant donors. They’re strong advocates for donor education. Jim wants his journey to mean something. He particularly wants people to know that you can be a living donor.

Jim’s advice to transplant patients

April 14, 2026, is the one-year anniversary of Jim’s transplant. A man of deep faith, Jim has reflected about his cancer and kidney experiences. He shares the lessons he has learned below. 

1. Thank God for your life and the extension of it.
2. The medical community deserves your heart-felt thanks. Even better, they need your prayers.
3. If the Holy Spirit if prompting you to consider organ donation, follow Saint Ike’s lead.
4. Remember, your attitude is part of your free will.
5. If you don’t know where to go or what to do with a kidney failure diagnosis, go to Trinity Health because they know how to deal with your disease and they have the compassion to tell you not to fall apart until they get you fixed.

Ike’s advice to people thinking about becoming a donor

Ike and Jim are friends now. Ike strongly encourages others to consider donation.

1. Open the door and walk through it. Get the testing done and donate a kidney.
2. Your life won’t change drastically.
3. It will be an amazing, joyful experience.

“My part was the easiest,” Ike said. “Jim was the one running the marathon. Jim was the one with the worries, frustration, and pain. All I did was give Jim a glass of water at the end of the race.”

Learn more about Trinity Health’s kidney transplant services, including how to become a living kidney donor.

Learn More