York College Women's Basketball stands united behind senior forward Makenna Zimmerman as her dad bravely fights for a new kidney.

Jeff Zimmerman, father of Makenna Zimmerman, continues his journey to find a kidney that will restore the quality of life he deserves and the one that all who are fortunate to know him wish for him. Please help us win this fight!

Jeff's Story from Ali Zimmerman's, (Makenna's Mom) perspective:
"Initially, in the summer of 2019, Jeff was told that he had kidney failure and would require a kidney transplant. While several friends and family members, including myself, underwent testing right away, we also took to social media to share our story and our need for a donor. This outreach was done after it was recommended by Jeff's kidney transplant team.

In March of 2020, we were told a donor had been found and that we would wait until Jeff could no longer live with his own kidneys to do the surgery. During that wait period, in December of 2022, we were informed that the kidney that was originally determined to be a match was too small to transplant to Jeff. Again, family and friends began the testing process.

I, myself, was in the process of completing a test when, on February 6, 2023 Jeff got a phone call at work informing him that a cadaver donor had matched and that they would transplant him that very day. Jeff received the transplant that day, but, unfortunately, after multiple rejections, many hospital stays, changes to medications and doses, and several invasive interventions, Jeff's transplant team determined this past October 1, 2025 that it is time to find and transplant another kidney. There is nothing more the doctors can do for the kidney he received in 2023 without putting him at greater risk for infections and cancers. Obviously, this option would do more harm than another transplant. The doctors and their team have emphasized that Jeff would have a better prognosis with a kidney from a living donor.

Once again, family members have begun their testing. I made it to the end of the process only to devastatingly find out that, because of my medical history, my otherwise matching kidney puts me at too great a risk and therefore they will not accept my donation. You can be assured that Jeff honors the immense gift of a kidney with the best practices and healthy habits. We are praying that we find the best possible match so he can continue to teach, inspire, listen, laugh, love, and support all of us who are so blessed to know him."
- Ali Zimmerman



Similarly to Ali, the same circumstance applies to Makenna as she is not cleared to be a donor for her Dad. While Makenna's brother, Mason, continues to navigate the process of his donor eligibility, the fight continues.

Coach Kilpatrick took the time to ask Makenna two very important questions and here is what she said…

What does this community support mean to you?
"When the news about my dad was posted online, I was overwhelmed with supportive, sweet texts from my coaches, teammates, and friends here at York. The first time my dad went through this, I was a junior in high school in an area where a lot of people knew my family, so I received a lot of support through that. I was not expecting to have the same level of support here since I have only been here three years, but I was pleasantly surprised with how many people reached out to me or reposted my dad's story. It's very comforting to know that I have a second family away from home and a bunch of people that I can lean on through the adversity that my family is facing."

What should our community do to best help your family through this fight?
"People should repost and share my dad's journey to spread the word! The more people this reaches, the more we have a chance of finding a perfect match for my dad. Also, if people are willing to, they can sign up to be added to the list of potential donors. We are aware that this is a huge ask, which is why you are able to stop testing at any time. All costs would be covered through insurance and any potential donor information is kept completely private, especially from the recipient and his family. While the ultimate goal is to find a donor, we are also just as grateful for prayers, support, sharing, and spreading the word." 

Call to action: Help us help the Zimmerman's! Repost, share with friends and family, tell Jeff's story, and, if you are moved to do so, consider being a living donor. If you have any questions or know of possible candidates, please contact Head Coach Katie Kilpatrick directly at kmcgowan1@ycp.edu. If you yourself are interested in donating, you can apply online at: WWW.LVHN.ORG/LIVINGDONOR, call 610-402-8506 option #5.