Living Organ Donor Search
She spent 25 years helping others.Now she needs us.
She’s a professor and a wife. A psychologist and an aunt. A department chair and a sister. A published author and a step grandmother.
Dr. Jennifer McGraw needs a living kidney and liver donor to continue fulfilling all these roles and more.
There are over 100,000 people waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor, with an average wait of more than 5 years. A living donor is Jennifer's best option. Register at livingdonorreg.upmc.com and enter "Jennifer McGraw" as the recipient.
About Jennifer
A life of caring, loving, guiding, helping and healing others.
Dr. Jennifer McGraw has spent 25 years making a profound difference in the lives of others. As a clinical psychologist, professor, and department chair at Slippery Rock University, she has touched thousands of lives — students who call her "the best professor in the department," families navigating the darkest moments of eating disorder recovery, and a university community that depends on her leadership.
In 2001, Jennifer was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney and Liver disease, a genetic disorder passed down from one of her parents. She refused to let that define her.
Despite her health challenges, her love for her family was always present in her mind. She would make the long trips to Alexandria, Virginia alone multiple times a year, from Kent State or Rochester, NY to visit her family, including the loves of her life, her nephew, Matt and niece, Sarah. She went for weekends, birthdays, holidays, sporting events, school performances, and sometimes just because. She was present for the many Special Olympics events that Matt participated in and graduation ceremonies for Sarah. Jennifer was determined that, although she had grown up without having extended family around, Matt and Sarah would not have the same fate.
Later in life she met Bob and the two immediately knew it was destiny that their paths had led them to each other. They were engaged in 2013 and married in 2014. Overnight it would seem, this single woman would expand her family, becoming a wife, stepmother to 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Now, the person who has spent her adult life helping others….
Needs our help now!
Jennifer is facing kidney and liver failure and needs living donors for both organs. The wait for a deceased donor is more than five years. A living donor is her best chance. This is our chance to show up for someone who has spent a lifetime showing up for others.
What her students say
“Probably the best psychology professor in the department”
“Very clear and concise lectures, to the point where you will understand even if you are half-awake”
“Very passionate and knowledgeable about abnormal psych”
Professor of Psychology & Department Chair
Slippery Rock University · Since 2001
Founder, Reflections Body Image Program
Author of Multifamily Therapy Group for Young Adults with Anorexia Nervosa: Reconnecting for Recovery (Routledge, 2021)
Department Chair, Psychology (15 years)
Living donation is safe, and it works.
Living donor kidney transplants have a 98–99% success rate at one year. More than 6,400 living donor kidney transplants were performed in the U.S. in 2024 alone.
The initial screening takes about 5 minutes and can be done by phone. All medical costs are covered by the recipient's insurance. Financial assistance programs can help with travel, lodging, and lost wages.
For kidney donation, most donors return to normal life in 2–4 weeks. For liver donation, the liver regenerates — both the donor's and the transplanted portion grow back to near-full size within weeks.
3 Simple Steps
How living donation works
Register Online
Go to livingdonorreg.upmc.com and enter "Jennifer McGraw" as the recipient. You can choose to donate a kidney, liver, or either.
Talk to the Living Donor Team
A coordinator from UPMC will walk you through a brief health screening. You can also call the Living Donor Office directly at (412) 647-GIFT (4438).
If You Match, Save a Life
If screening goes well, the transplant team handles all medical testing, surgery, and follow-up care — at no cost to you.
“The initial screening takes about 5 minutes and can be done by phone.”
Start the ProcessEven if you can't donate, you can help
Get Tested as a Donor
The screening process starts with a simple phone call. It takes about 5 minutes to find out if you may be eligible.
Start ScreeningShare on Social Media
Every share reaches an average of 33% of your friends. One share could reach the person who saves Jennifer's life.
Sign Up for Updates
Stay connected with Jennifer's journey and help spread the word when it matters most.
Subscribe“This is the woman who dedicated her entire professional life to helping others. It's our turn to help her.”
Stay updated on Jennifer's journey
Sign up for email updates. No spam — just news about Jennifer.