According to the American Kidney Fund, polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disease that causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys, enlarging them and damaging their tissue. Ultimately, the disease can lead to kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease.

By July 2017 Gilbert's kidney function had declined to the point that he was enduring 3.5-hour dialysis sessions three days a week. A month later doctors were forced to remove his left kidney. Gilbert was placed on a transplant list, with a likely wait of at least five years.

Behind the scenes, his fellow board member Telker said he decided in September 2019 to undergo testing to see if his kidneys might be compatible. He traveled to a University of Minnesota medical clinic to be "prodded and poked in places I didn't realize I had."

On Nov. 22, Telker's donation coordinator called to tell he had been approved to be donor.

"It was a total joy for me," Telker said. "I told the coordinator we were having the board Christmas party that evening and I would tell John. She said, 'You can't just tell him — you have to make it fun.'"

Telker took some colored markers and wrote a note on a white, letter-sized sheet of printer paper. He folded it three times, put it in his pocket and drove out to the party that evening.

At the party, Gilbert's wife, Lynda, asked Telker if he had any projects going on this winter.

"Nothing in particular," Jerry told her, "but we can start with this one."

He reached into his pocket and handed the note to Gilbert. It read:

"John,

Merry Christmas

Today I was approved to be your kidney donor."

Gilbert said he was shocked.

"I didn't know what to say. I couldn't believe it," he said. "The days that followed were days of thankfulness to God and disbelief."

Part of his reaction was caution. He had a living donor arranged in 2018 and three surgery dates before the transplant was canceled.

But in December, doctors removed one of Telker's kidneys, and transplanted it to Gilbert. Their recoveries are proceeding well.

"My numbers are all going in the right direction. I'm feeling better every day," Gilbert said. "I'm thankful to God and to Jerry for getting my life back to a new normal."

Telker said he is doing OK, too, given his pre-existing conditions: "I'm old, slow and allergic to pain so I've learned quickly that easy does it. Every day is better, and I haven't regretted one moment of it."