Special Donation Gives Marine Second Chance At Life

Sgt. Jake Chadwick Receives Kidney From Fallen Marine Patrick Wayland

SAN DIEGO -- A Camp Pendleton-based Marine in dire need of an organ transplant was given a second chance at life thanks to a decision made by a fellow Marine.

After deploying to Iraq, Sgt. Jake Chadwick discovered his kidneys were failing and learned he needed a transplant. Making matters worse, the 23-year-old has type O blood.

"It made it more difficult to match a kidney to him because it could only come from another [type] O donor," said UCSD Medical Center transplant surgeon Dr. Kristin McKeel.
A donor was found but withdrew, leaving Chadwick frustrated.

"That was tough because we'd have to start the search all over again," said Chadwick, who a year ago was deployed with Regimental Combat Team 1 from Camp Pendleton to Iraq.

Across the country, 24-year-old Marine 2nd Lt. Patrick Wayland was undergoing flight survival training in Pensacola, Fla., when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Because he was listed as an organ donor, Chadwick received a new kidney and five others received organs.

"That's incredible; it's not just me, there are five other people in the same situation I am that, hopefully, they're in a better situation today because of him," Chadwick said.

Chadwick received his new kidney last Sunday and was allowed to go home Thursday.

He and his wife, Victoria, hope they can one day thank the Wayland family, of Midland, Texas, in person.

"I'm sure they would like to see who received their son's kidney and maybe they can stay connected in some way through me," Chadwick said.

Chadwick will probably be medically separated from the Marine Corps next month.

Chadwick and his wife of three years are now expecting their second child in November.

The Wayland family learned of Chadwick's need for a kidney through an online story.