Two hearts are joined through common transplant experiences

They had different transplants at different times, but this couple shares similar experiences.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

Ask Lindsey Gearlds and David Mendelsohn what they have in common, and they’ll talk about their love for music, ethic foods, walking in the park, and tattoos. And then there’s another thing: They both received transplants at IU Health.

Gearlds received a liver transplant on Jan. 26, 2025; Mendelsohn received a kidney on transplant on March 20, 2024. They met in May 2024 on a dating app.

“Neither of us had a description or bio. We just both thought the other one was cute,” said Gearlds. On the date their first meeting was scheduled, Gearlds had to cancel because she was sick. “When we got together, he said early on that he had a kidney transplant, and I told him I was getting ready to get a liver transplant.” It was Mendelsohn who encouraged Gearlds to come to IU Health.

A native of Madison, Ind. she was first listed with another hospital. Her diagnosis came as a surprise – hemochromatosis, a condition that causes the body to store excess iron; and Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency that affects the production of protein. Both are genetic disorders, but Gearlds was the first in her family to be diagnosed. She has a 14-year-old daughter that she plans to have tested for the disorder.

Mendelsohn grew up in Newport Beach, Calif. and moved to Indianapolis in 2015. He was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that affects the filters in the kidneys.

“I was adopted so they couldn’t do a lot of family testing. They think it was caused by high blood pressure. I was a typica guy in his 20s who never went to the doctor,” said Mendelsohn. He was first listed for transplant in California but was referred to IU Health when he moved to Indiana where he works as director of engineering for an industrial equipment company.

Something else they both have in common – both Gearlds and Mendelsohn celebrated their birthdays in the hospital. Gearlds turned 38 the day after her transplant Mendelsohn turned 39 during his hospital stay. He was in the surgical care of Dr. Andrew Lutz. His nephrologist is Dr. Muhammad Yaqub.

“Her surgery was a lot more intense than mine, but by the time she got to IU Health, I knew a lot of the nurses and staff,” said Mendelsohn, who was with Gearlds every step of the way. “She had my nurse and stayed in the same room I stayed in on the transplant floor,” said Mendelsohn. After she was discharged, Gearlds recovered at the Indianapolis home of Mendelsohn’s parents.

During a recent visit to the hospital, Mendelsohn, who is back to good health, was met with questions, “what are you doing back here?” He was quick to explain that he was “fine” and was accompanying Gearlds to her appointment.

“It’s been nice having someone who knows the process because I’ve been in the dark about everything and my family couldn’t be here,” said Gearlds, who earned a degree in psychology from IU Bloomington. She has spent most of her career working in sales.

With restored health, Mendelsohn looks forward to continuing his interest in music. He’s played drums all his life. He also wants to ride his Harley Motorcycle. Gearlds said she is looking forward to spending quality time with her daughter.

“I was so sick the last year that it’s been difficult for me to do much. I wasn’t able to make dinner, and I relied on her to do things for herself,” said Gearlds. “I’m happy I’ll be around to watch her grow up and graduate and start her adult life.”

And as for their relationship, Gearlds said: “We’re making plans that we will be together long term.” Mendelsohn added: “We were on the same page before we said it out loud. I don’t take anything for granted, like meeting the right person out of the blue.”