Brent Axthelm

Liver recipient
Chagrin Falls, OH
Age: 15
Occupation: High school student
Sponsored by: LifeBanc

Brent Axthelm, 15, received a successful liver transplant on August 6, 1999 at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Brent suffered from primary schlerosing cholangitis (PSC), the same disease that necessitated a liver transplant for Chris Klug. Brent’s family members were being evaluated as potential living donors for the transplant when a liver from a deceased donor became available.

He will be a sophomore this fall at Chagrin Falls High School outside Cleveland. Brent is an honor student and participates in numerous school activities, including the debate team and jazz band.

Brent and his parents, Karl and Dede, are active volunteers with LifeBanc, helping to spread the word about the need for and benefits of organ donation through presentations and staffed information tables. Brent has also attended training to become a Certified Educator for LifeBanc, and has co-presented programs at all educational levels in his own school district and others throughout Northeast Ohio. He has also taken the donation message to medical staff in area hospitals, including University Hospitals of Cleveland where he received his transplant.

Brent was a featured speaker at the 2003 Art for Life Juried Poster Competition Awards Ceremony, where he stressed to his high school peers the importance of the donation message communicated by their artwork.