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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s donation of his kidneys.<\/p>\n
Their story is part of the ongoing Love Stories series, which explores love in its many forms, whether it be romantic, platonic, or unexpected.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on their relationship, Codey remarked, \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019t have understood as a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sajarn took the initiative, efficiently organizing the necessary tests and pushing for the transplant process to commence. \u201cIt was a significant journey,\u201d Codey reflected. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Codey expressed profound gratitude for Sajarn\u2019s decision, stating, \u201cTo 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\u2019t undertake.\u201d<\/p>\n
He described Sajarn as an exceptional person, emphasizing, \u201cAnyone who knows Sajarn would agree that he is extraordinarily kind and caring. He\u2019s not just a brother and friend but also a father figure to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sajarn shared his admiration for Codey, noting, \u201cHe is genuinely the kindest person I know. We\u2019ve never had a fight, and my partner, Leigh, often remarks on Codey\u2019s sweet nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
He reminisced about a pivotal moment in their relationship, recalling when Codey came out to him in 2010, which strengthened their bond. <\/p>\n
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\u2019s need for dialysis.<\/p>\n
Sajarn quickly offered to donate his kidney, stating, \u201cIf I\u2019m healthy enough, I\u2019ll do it. Just take it if you need it.\u201d He clarified that he didn\u2019t want to create any obligation, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s not something I feel the need to bring up regularly. Codey never did anything wrong; he simply became ill despite living a healthy lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n
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, \u201cI actually appreciate having the scars as reminders of what we accomplished in November.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recently, while speaking with Codey over the phone, Sajarn sensed a shift in his brother\u2019s tone, realizing, \u201cYou sound different; you sound happy.\u201d Codey\u2019s newfound energy and joy brought a smile to Sajarn\u2019s face, making the journey even more rewarding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7760,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[43,738,427,1854],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-au-family","category-au-indigenous-australians","category-au-liver-and-kidneys"],"yoast_head":"\n