Despite a decade separating their ages, brothers Sajarn and Codey Stow, who are proud of their Juru, Bindal, and Kaantju heritage, have maintained a strong connection since childhood in northern Queensland.
Sajarn, 42, works as a producer and presenter at ABC Darwin, while Codey, 32, resides in Central Queensland and serves as a land and sea ranger for the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, and Taribelang Bunda communities. Recently, they have also bonded over Sajarn’s donation of his kidneys.
Their story is part of the ongoing Love Stories series, which explores love in its many forms, whether it be romantic, platonic, or unexpected.
Reflecting on their relationship, Codey remarked, “We have that ten-year age difference, and when Sajarn moved from Townsville to Melbourne, I was only eleven. Growing up, it was primarily our mother who raised us, and Sajarn stepped into a fatherly role, becoming my go-to person for advice. We still communicate frequently today.”
He added, “I’ve always viewed him as my older brother, a role he has embraced. However, our relationship has evolved; he is not just my brother but now also a close friend. We can discuss things now that I wouldn’t have understood as a child.”
In 2018 or 2019, Codey received a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy, a degenerative kidney disease. At that time, his kidney function was around 40 percent, and by 2024, doctors advised that he might need to start dialysis soon due to further decline.
During discussions about a potential transplant, medical professionals suggested that they typically wait until patients are on dialysis before considering transplants. However, after a family conversation, both Sajarn and their younger sister, Shaquille, immediately offered to donate their kidneys.
Sajarn took the initiative, efficiently organizing the necessary tests and pushing for the transplant process to commence. “It was a significant journey,” Codey reflected. “We faced various challenges, but having Sajarn to talk to was invaluable. His partner, Leigh, was also incredibly supportive, and this experience has brought us even closer together.”
Codey expressed profound gratitude for Sajarn’s decision, stating, “To him, it may seem like just a kidney donation, but to me, it represents life itself. It has significantly enhanced my quality of life, giving me renewed energy and motivation for activities I previously couldn’t undertake.”
He described Sajarn as an exceptional person, emphasizing, “Anyone who knows Sajarn would agree that he is extraordinarily kind and caring. He’s not just a brother and friend but also a father figure to me.”
Sajarn shared his admiration for Codey, noting, “He is genuinely the kindest person I know. We’ve never had a fight, and my partner, Leigh, often remarks on Codey’s sweet nature.”
He reminisced about a pivotal moment in their relationship, recalling when Codey came out to him in 2010, which strengthened their bond.
In mid-2024, Sajarn learned about Codey’s deteriorating kidney condition while attending dinner with Leigh, who works for the NT organ donation agency, DonateLife. The conversation highlighted the importance of kidney transplants occurring before dialysis, coinciding with Codey’s need for dialysis.
Sajarn quickly offered to donate his kidney, stating, “If I’m healthy enough, I’ll do it. Just take it if you need it.” He clarified that he didn’t want to create any obligation, saying, “It’s not something I feel the need to bring up regularly. Codey never did anything wrong; he simply became ill despite living a healthy lifestyle.”
Reflecting on this experience, Sajarn noted that it has prompted him to take better care of his own health. He mentioned the physical scars he has from the procedure, adding, “I actually appreciate having the scars as reminders of what we accomplished in November.”
Recently, while speaking with Codey over the phone, Sajarn sensed a shift in his brother’s tone, realizing, “You sound different; you sound happy.” Codey’s newfound energy and joy brought a smile to Sajarn’s face, making the journey even more rewarding.
