“The Closest Thing to Magic”

23-Year-Old Influencer Receives a Double-Lung Transplant From the FBI

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / March 6, 2025 / With Donate Life Month approaching, we're honored to share the inspiring story of Jen Dunlea, a 23-year-old social media influencer and two-time double-lung transplant recipient.

Diagnosed withcystic fibrosis (CF) as a toddler, Jen received her first transplant at just 13. Despite facing complications-including transplant-related diabetes and a rare cancer-she remained resilient.

In 2020, a severe bacterial infection led to neurological complications that temporarily affected her ability to walk, talk, and remember. After recovering, Jen was diagnosed with chronic organ rejection, a devastating setback for any transplant recipient. Despite years of treatments, a second transplant became her only option.

For three years, Jen and her mother searched for a transplant center willing to take on her high-risk case until receiving a "yes" from NYU Langone Health in New York City. Officially on the list, Jen's health continued to decline as she waited anxiously for a match. In August 2024, an FBI cadet tragically passed away during training, and the cadet's family requested their loved one's organs be donated within the FBI community. Thanks to her step-uncle, Steve, who had been in the FBI for decades, Jen was eligible to receive the lungs. This extraordinary act of generosity led to Jen receiving her second double-lung transplant on August 19, 2024. As Jen puts it, "The FBI got me my lungs."

Now, Jen is using her platform to advocate for organ donation and those living with a chronic illness, like CF. Known for her honest and often humorous social media content, she has built a strong following on TikTok and Instagram (@jencantbreathe), with many of her videos going viral. She also fundraises for the significant out-of-pocket costs of pre- and post-transplant care, estimated at over $1 million, even with insurance. To support Jen, visit COTA for Jen's Lungs.

Jen's journey is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for organ donors. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a transplant, and every 8 minutes, another person is added to the list. You can register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at the DMV, the Health app on your Apple device, or HonorBridge.org/RegisterMe.

For media inquiries or to interview Jen, contact Dena Daw, Media Relations Content Writer, at ddaw@honorbridge.org.

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About HonorBridge:

HonorBridge is a federally designated, not-for-profit organ donation and tissue recovery organization serving 7.5 million people in 77 counties in North Carolina, along with Pittsylvania County in Virginia. With offices in Chapel Hill, Greenville, and Winston-Salem, HonorBridge is devoted to building connections that save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation. In North Carolina, almost 3,000 people are currently waiting for organ transplants and nationally, over 100,000 people are on the organ waiting list. For more information, visit HonorBridge.org or call 1-800-200-2672.

Contact Information

Dena Daw
Media Relations Content Writer
ddaw@honorbridge.org
9192590716

Chuck Heald
Director of Advocacy & Marketing
cheald@honorbridge.org
9192261237

SOURCE: HonorBridge