Her Story
Jennifer’s Story
She spent 25 years healing others. Now she needs us.
The Person
Meet Jennifer
Jennifer is more than a patient — she is a wife, a mentor, a healer, and a friend.
Dr. Jennifer Sanftner McGraw is a professor, author, advocate, and devoted wife who has spent 25 years making a profound difference in the lives of others. But behind her professional accomplishments is a warm, genuine person whose presence lights up every room.
While her professional identity matters, what truly defines Dr. Jen is her capacity for love. She shares her life with her devoted husband, Bob McGraw, a partner who knows her heart and supports her dreams. Together, they enjoy the simple joys of life: beach days, quality time, and building a future filled with meaning and connection. Bob is not just a husband—he’s her greatest champion, and in the days ahead, her unwavering ally in a fight for her life.
Her Career
A Life of Healing Others
For 25 years, Dr. Jennifer McGraw has poured her life into helping others. As a Professor of Psychology & Department Chair at Slippery Rock University, she has shaped the lives of thousands of students since joining the faculty in 2001.
Jennifer founded the Reflections Body Image Program (Founder & Director), a program dedicated to protecting students struggling with body image and self-worth.
She literally wrote the book on helping families heal. Her work, Multifamily Therapy Group for Young Adults with Anorexia Nervosa: Reconnecting for Recovery (Routledge, 2021), is a vital resource for families navigating anorexia nervosa.
She serves on the President's Commission on Mental Health, helping shape mental health support for the entire campus community.
“Probably the best psychology professor in the department”
“Very clear and concise lectures, to the point where you will understand even if you are half-awake”
“Very passionate and knowledgeable about abnormal psych”
The Challenge
The Diagnosis
Jennifer’s story took an unexpected and devastating turn when she received devastating news: her kidneys and liver are failing. The woman who has dedicated her career to healing others now faces a medical crisis that threatens everything she holds dear.
Kidney and liver failure are serious conditions that affect the body’s ability to filter waste, regulate vital functions, and maintain health. Without intervention, these organs will continue to deteriorate, threatening Jennifer’s life. The good news: transplantation offers hope. But transplants require donors—and living donors can give the greatest gift of all.
The Journey
The Fight
Jennifer is not facing this alone. Around her stands a network of love, determination, and unwavering support. Her family is fighting for her life with the same passion and care she has shown to countless others.
Bob McGraw is doing everything he can to be Jennifer’s rock during this storm. He’s researching options, managing appointments, and most importantly, reminding Jennifer every single day that she is loved and that they will get through this together.
Jennifer’s family is mobilizing to save her life. This is a family united by love, determined by action, and driven by a single goal: giving Jennifer her life back.
Take Action
How You Can Help
Contact the Transplant Center
Call the transplant center's donor line to express your interest. A coordinator will walk you through everything.
Complete a Health Screening
The initial screening takes about 5 minutes by phone. You'll answer basic health questions to see if you may be eligible.
If You Match, Save a Life
If screening goes well, the transplant team handles all medical testing, surgery, and follow-up care — at no cost to you.