His story
A Life Worth Fighting For
Brian Varn is a husband, father, and fighter. This is his story.
The Diagnosis
A Disease He Was Born With
Brian Varn has Polycystic Kidney Disease — a genetic disorder he inherited, not a condition he could have prevented. PKD causes fluid-filled cysts to slowly grow on the kidneys over decades, gradually crowding out healthy tissue until the kidneys can no longer do their job.
For many years, Brian managed PKD with medication and careful monitoring. There is no cure. The disease progresses on its own timeline, and Brian's kidneys have now reached the point where a transplant is the only path forward.
Family & Faith
He's Seen This Work Before
Brian's father had the same disease. When his kidneys failed, his sister stepped forward and donated one of hers. That gift gave Brian's father 26 more years of life — years with his family, years that mattered. Brian watched that act of generosity change everything.
Through every difficult appointment and every hard conversation, Brian's family has been his anchor. He believes that the right person is out there — someone whose generosity will give him the same second chance his father received. That belief keeps him going on the hardest days.
The Search
Why a Living Donor Changes Everything
Brian is currently on the transplant waiting list, but the average wait for a deceased donor kidney can stretch to years. A living donor changes that equation entirely — at Ohio State, the median wait drops to just 2 months, and living donor kidneys last nearly twice as long.
Brian's family has seen firsthand what a living donor can do. His father's sister gave him 26 more years. Whoever steps forward for Brian could give him just as much — or more. If you've ever thought about whether you could help someone, this is that moment.
5+
Average years on the
deceased donor waiting list
A living donor changes everything
"My father's sister gave him 26 more years. I'm hoping someone out there will do the same for me.
Timeline
Brian's Journey, Year by Year
Born with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — a genetic condition passed down from his father
Managed PKD with medication for many years — no cure exists, only treatment
Brian's father received a kidney from his sister and lived 26 more years — proof that a donor's gift lasts
Kidney function declines to critical levels — transplant becomes necessary
Actively searching for a living donor — that could be you
Could You Be Brian's Match?
Getting tested is free, confidential, and takes less than an hour. You could be the person who gives Brian his life back.