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Hamburger Wagon Owner’s Plea for Help

February 12, 2019 By The Food Adventures Crew 16 Comments

Jack Sperry and his daughters

Sometime life throws you curveballs.  For Jack Sperry, owner of the Hamburger Wagon he has thrived on meeting challenges head on and through hard work has typically achieved success.  He is now facing a new challenge, that is out of his control.

The Food Adventures Crew has known Jack since he was a standout football player at Centerville High School in the early eighties.  Jack is a supporter of Centerville and Miamisburg Schools and also helps run the Rock N Green Tomato Festival in Miamisburg, among other charitable events.

Jack is that prideful guy you know, who never asks anyone for help.  As irony would have it , he was was diagnosed 15 years ago with a kidney disease called “Berger’s Syndrome.”  The illness eventually damages kidney function, until the person needs a transplant.  That’s where Jack is at today.  His kidney function has fallen below a critical level, and dialysis and a transplant are eminent.

Jim Bucher left and Jack Sperry joke around the Hamburger Wagon

This is the passing along of a plea for help.  A plea from a lifelong Daytonian, in his time of need. We were going to write this article and explain the situation, but his brother Hank Sperry posted a Facebook message that was a perfect reach out for help.  Here it is:

“My name is Henry Sperry and I’m sending this message out on my brother’s Facebook account. I’ll get right to the point. I am looking for a hero to save my brother’s life. Please don’t turn away now. This won’t take much of your time to read. You may be the key to preserving the life of a man who is very much worth saving.

Jack recently got engaged

My brother is Jack Sperry. He is a beloved brother and the father of two beautiful teen-aged daughters, Alex and Emma Sperry. He is engaged to be married. He is an honorable man, a loyal friend to legions of people who are fortunate to know him. He is the proprietor of the famous Miamisburg, Ohio Hamburger Wagon.

15 years ago, Jack was diagnosed with Berger’s Syndrome (IgA Neuropathy), a kidney disease that occurs when a specific antibody lodges in one’s kidneys. THERE IS NO CURE. The disease slowly progresses over years until eventually, the kidneys cease functioning. When Jack was diagnosed, the hope was that the disease would progress so slowly that medical intervention would not be required in his lifetime.

Sadly this is not the case. His kidney function is below the critical threshold. It is time for serious medical intervention. Last fall, Jack’s local Nephrologist referred Jack to both the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University transplant centers. I am pleased to report that after thorough and comprehensive medical evaluations, Jack has been approved by both centers for organ transplant.

Ron Holp of Ron’s Pizza with pal Jack Sperry of the Hamburger Wagon

Jack has three options, but only one which offers the promise of a normal life expectancy. Option 1 is kidney dialysis. While this option does extend life expectancy, it is burdensome and for someone Jack’s age, the average life expectancy on dialysis is 10 years. Option 2 is a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. But the wait for such a donor can be up to 5 years. The average useful life expectancy of a deceased donor transplant is 10 – 15 years.

By far the most favorable option is the third one, live donor transplant. Live donor transplants can last 20 – 25 years (even longer). Such a transplant would carry Jack into his late 70’s or even his 80’s, allowing him the joy of walking his daughters down the aisle, sharing love and life with his grandchildren, continuing to cherish his friends and family, and giving him the opportunity to pay forward the generosity of the hero who saved him.

Jack in front of the Hamburger Wagon with friend Gary.

I, as well as my other brother, Bob Sperry, would give up a kidney in a minute. Unfortunately, our own health issues have prevented us from being candidates.

That’s why we are turning to you. We realize this is a BIG ASK. But this is literally a chance for you to save the life of at least one – and perhaps two – human beings. That’s because you don’t have to be a direct match to Jack. Both medical centers are part of a national sharing chain whereby a non-matching kidney is donated and then Jack would receive a matching kidney immediately, no waiting.

I am not ready to write an obituary. There is so much life ahead for Jack, if someone is willing to answer the call. PLEASE consider making this gift. Think about the magnitude of this opportunity! You have the chance to give a decent, loving, honorable man the ability to share and experience a full life! We are looking for a hero and an angel.

Recent photo of Jack and his kids

This quest has obviously raised a number of questions. People ask me how Jack is doing now. Other than very poor kidney function, he is doing fairly well. He is not yet on dialysis but certainly headed there. He still works every day and other than fatigue from time to time, life is fairly normal and routine for him currently. People ask me how kidney donors do post transplant . The surgical/medical teams we’ve spoken with say kidney donors do just fine after transplant. As a rule of thumb, a healthy person with 100% kidney function will see their overall function drop to around 80% post transplant and should continue that level of function for the remainder of their lifetime. Jack’s current kidney function is less than 20% and he currently has no discernible symptoms.

Jack and his fiancee

Finally, people have asked how to go forward if interested in being a potential donor for Jack with either the University of Cincinnati or Ohio State University transplant centers. The process simply begins with a phone call or going on-line. For both Medical Centers you will need Jack’s legal name which is John P. Sperry and his birthdate which is March 4, 1963.

For the Ohio State Program:
Call 1-800-293-8965 Option #3

For the University of Cincinnati Program:
Log into: www.uchealth.com/Transplant or you can call UC Health’s waitlist coordinator, Beth Sanders, at (513) 584-0784.

Father / Daughter event

As mentioned earlier, I know this is a HUGE ASK and understandably perhaps too big of one for many of you. That’s okay. My intention is not to give anyone a guilt trip. My goal is simply to get the word out to as many as people as possible so that a potential hero for my brother can be found. Even if you aren’t interested in being a donor, would you mind sharing this with your contacts in some shape or form so that the word can be spread?

From all of us who love Jack Sperry, God bless you.”

 

From all of us at Food Adventures, we hope someone sees this who can save the day.   With a new fiancee, and 2 daughters, Jack is still very active and community involved.  We are staying positive that things will work out for him and his prayers will be answered.

Jack and his family need a hero, could it be you ?

 

Jack, working at the Hamburger Wagon

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Charity Events, Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: bergers syndrome, Dayton, Food Adventures, hamburger wagon, help, jack sperry, kidney, need a kidney, needs a kidney, plea, transplant

About The Food Adventures Crew

We are 3 Dayton Foodies constantly seeking Food Adventures. We are Jackie Scanlan, Jessie Whitesell and The Big Ragu Steve Milano. Together, your humble crew will seek out locally owned restaurants, unique places off the beaten path, & even give our slant on some familiar favorites. Whenever we visit a place, we call it a “Food Adventure.” You can expect pictures of each Food Adventure we embark on. You can expect us hugging waiters, posting nostalgic blogs, giving healthy wholesome tips, and having a blast. We have a passion for life and no rules when it comes to tackling eats. We are not food critics, that is boring. We just love to eat!

Reader Interactions


Comments

Comments

Comments

  1. Misty says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    What is the info for being a donor?

  2. Cristy Grimmett says

    February 12, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    Looking for more info to see if I might be a match. Thank you ❤️

  3. Matthew moskala says

    February 12, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    Not sure if im a match, 39 years old Male 2 daughters myself but seems like a great cause. Sign me up.

  4. Stephanie whyte says

    February 12, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    I am interested in being tested

  5. Shannon says

    February 12, 2019 at 4:23 pm

    May want to check on a high risk kidney. A man I met when my son got his Kidney transplant on Dec 19 had only been on the list for 8 days because he took a high risk kidney. They are perfectly healthy kidneys.

  6. Hannah says

    February 12, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    For everyone commenting asking how to go about getting tested or getting more information!

    The process simply begins with a phone call or going on-line. For both Medical Centers you will need Jack’s legal name which is John P. Sperry and his birthdate which is March 4, 1963.

    For the Ohio State Program:
    Call 1-800-293-8965 Option #3

    For the University of Cincinnati Program:
    Log into: http://www.uchealth.com/Transplant or you can call UC Health’s waitlist coordinator, Beth Sanders, at (513) 584-0784.

  7. Dianna says

    February 12, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    Willing to be tested. I contacted OSU. Option 3 did not work but I left a message

  8. Sharon Sizemore says

    February 12, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    I don’t know that I would be a candidate with my age and health but I certainly would be willing to be tested if I am needed.

  9. Kim Roberson says

    February 13, 2019 at 12:07 am

    My sister Denise also needs a kidney. I am a match but I was not able to donate since my kidneys are too small. My sister started dialysis about 4 years ago. Can someone please help? [email protected] ; 937-438-9725, I would be happy to provide a full background regarding her struggles.

  10. Steve D Milano says

    February 13, 2019 at 2:58 am

    The process simply begins with a phone call or going on-line. For both Medical Centers you will need Jack’s legal name which is John P. Sperry and his birthdate which is March 4, 1963.

    For the Ohio State Program:
    Call 1-800-293-8965 Option #3

    For the University of Cincinnati Program:
    Log into: http://www.uchealth.com/Transplant or you can call UC Health’s waitlist coordinator, Beth Sanders, at (513) 584-0784.

  11. Coco says

    February 14, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    I called Ohio State and started the process. Fingers crossed.

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    March 14, 2019 at 2:41 am

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  15. April says

    December 26, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    I’m willing to be tested for a match.

  16. Debbie says

    February 29, 2020 at 11:05 pm

    Hi Jack. Remember me Debbie Crabill I worked with u at Bank One in the merchant services department.
    I’m willing to help u but I’m in my late 60’s.

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