MONROE — Although she isn’t exactly sure what it is, Monroe native Kelli Mueller feels an unexplained connection to Jim Beer. 

Beer, a Green County judge since 1996 has been voted in for more than two decades by residents who respect his decision making abilities in the courtroom. But in recent months he took his chances on asking others for help for himself — and it worked.

After learning he was in fourth- or fifth-stage kidney failure, Beer reached out through social media in May searching for a live kidney donor on a Facebook page titled “Search for a Living Kidney Donor for James Beer” that’s since garnered more than 300 “likes.” 

By Aug. 20, a post revealed a “match” was found. 

Now just days away, all tests have been passed and cleared and, as of last week, everything will move forward as planned for the direct kidney donation surgery Oct. 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Health kidney transplant program in Madison. 

History

Despite being active in several sports including football, wrestling and even earning a record in high school, Beer was in his 60s before learning during a checkup that he was born with only one kidney. 

It seemingly never slowed him down, until about four years ago when pulling fence posts after the last election caused a liquified disc and spine surgery. He said he feels it was medication for other things that accelerated his kidney issues. Beer, who is diabetic, is otherwise healthy.

He said his ailments came on slowly and he still feels good most of the time. He undergoes dialysis three times per day at home, and is looking forward to a better quality of life. 

Finding a donor

After talking with doctors, it was recommended Beer find a live donor in order to live. His doctors told him that finding a live donor could add up to 20 years to a person’s life. 

“I’m hoping for 30 or 40,” he said with a smile.

Beer, now 72, said he initially had people close to him volunteer to test as a possible match, but it didn’t work out. It was suggested they campaign for a kidney themselves, by possibly making t-shirts or taking out advertisements — which didn’t appeal to Beer. 

His oldest son, Artem, a technology consultant, helped start and maintain the Facebook page.

The post asking for help saw more than 200 comments, most from people wishing him well, offering prayers and many who hoped to be potential donors willing to fill out the donor registration application.

“… You may know that I have kidney disease which is leading to the decline of my health and it puts severe limitations on what I can physically accomplish. I want to be healthy again and actively participate in activities with my young son, wife and family. I look forward to the day when I am not tired, unwell and can live my life to the fullest …,” the post read. 

As months passed, Beer said he became somewhat discouraged at times, despite the support, after hearing little to nothing on the potential of finding a donor. 

“I had an awful lot of support from people,” Beer said. “And then my angel finally showed up.”

That post was what Mueller first saw while perusing Facebook. She said when she read it, it stopped her in her tracks.

“I read it and I re-read it,” she said. “I pondered it for quite a while.”

The loan document specialist at First National Bank in Monroe didn’t know Beer personally — she knew of him and had encountered him as a judge.

When Mueller made the ultimate decision, she said it wasn’t done lightly. She has four children and said she is, in some ways, hoping to inspire them. 

“I’ve done some not-so-great things in my life, and I want my kids to know that their past doesn’t define them,” Mueller said.

Mueller began researching all that would be required of her. Once she passed the initial application she was assigned a coordinator and, in early August, began undergoing more in-depth tests. 

She was told she was one of about 50 people who filled out forms in an attempt to donate to Beer.

As she made the trek to Madison for testing, Mueller said she took her 15- and 12-year-old children with her and showed them the lighted walkway with each live donor’s name engraved in it. She said it was eye-opening for them. Her husband, Devon, was initially shocked at her decision, she said, but has been supportive. 

Beer is a father of five and spends a lot of time watching his youngest son Alex play, and baking pies at home. He said his wife, Olga, has felt relief since Mueller has come forward to help. 

As the tests results came in, Mueller received the final word that she was a match. She sent Beer a message to tell him the news. 

“I told her it was probably our Swiss heritage,” Beer said with a laugh.

He was in Canada, watching Alex play, but planned a celebratory cookout where he was in charge of the pie. 

The surgery

Mueller said the surgery, which is expected to run about four hours for each of them, doesn’t come without moments of hesitation — but she always comes back to a place where she chooses to move forward. 

“It’s a chance for someone to watch their kids and grandkids grow up,” she said. “I know I’m doing a good thing. My biggest fear is if something happens to him.”

Over 99% of kidney transplants are successful at UW-Health, which both donor and recipient find comforting.” 

“(The success rate) is a great feeling,” Beer said. “We’re very fortunate we have a teaching university hospital like we do that has done so many advanced things.”

Although social media worked for him, Beer said he wishes there was a better way to find a live donor for those who need one. Although he doesn’t know many of the people who attempted to become a donor for him, he’s grateful for each of them. 

“I’m very appreciative for the people in this county,” Beer said. “They’ve been so supportive.”

Beer is looking forward to his quality of life being revitalized. Besides baking and following Alex’s hockey games, he also enjoys collecting Indian artifacts, metal detecting, hunting arrowheads, biking and traveling — all things he’s looking forward to being more healthy and able to do.

As for running for judgeship again in two years, Beer said he hasn’t completely decided yet — but he has some time to make the call. 

To become a donor, start by completing the form at uwhealth.org/CanIBeADonor.