Jerry Rosenberg

Jerry Rosenberg never expected his dream cruise to Bermuda in 2017 to end with a lifesaving liver transplant. After becoming critically ill from eating contaminated food, he slipped into a coma and was airlifted from the ship in a race against time.

While treating Jerry for food poisoning, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida found he had advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Within days, Jerry learned he would need a liver transplant to survive. On May 7, 2017, at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, he received what he jokingly calls his “sassy” new liver.

“I didn’t even realize I had a transplant at first,” he said. “That’s how sick I was.”

Back to his former self, Jerry takes every opportunity to engage others and share his story with members of his Jewish faith and the LGBTQ+ community.

He competed in the Transplant Games of America and took part in the Guinness World Record for largest gathering of transplant recipients. He travels the world, often speaking about organ donation.

Through it all, Jerry embraces the quirks of recovery, including unexpected cravings.

“Life is wonderful now,” he said. “I thank God every day when I wake up for this opportunity of a second chance.”