Help Our Colleague Fight Chronic Kidney Disease and Reclaim His Life 

Dear Friends, 

It is with a heavy heart that we share the story of our dear colleague and friend, who is courageously battling Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Kidney Failure. Diagnosed unexpectedly in November 2024, his world was turned upside down in a matter of months. With no prior symptoms, his kidney function plummeted by 80% within a year, forcing him to begin dialysis immediately. 

At just 53 years old, he is a devoted husband and father, striving to care for his family while enduring the grueling demands of dialysis three times a week, alongside countless medical tests and treatments. Despite these challenges, he remains positive, resilient and determined to regain his health and quality of life. 

The only path forward is a kidney transplant—a chance to break free from the exhausting cycle of dialysis and embrace a brighter future. However, the road to a transplant is fraught with obstacles. Here in Canada, the wait time for a transplant is a minimum of five years, with no guarantees! Time is of the essence, and waiting that long could have irreversible effects on his health. 

In an effort to expedite the process, he is exploring options abroad at a reputable medical institution, with his loving wife and kids stepping forward as potential donors. This journey, however, comes with a significant financial burden. The cost of the transplant, travel, and associated medical expenses is estimated at $120,000 where the family has been able to finance half of it—an overwhelming amount for any family to bear alone. 

This is where we humbly ask for your support. 

How You Can Help: 

1. Consider Becoming an Organ Donor: Signing your organ donor card could save countless lives, including those like our colleague who are waiting for a second chance. 
2. Contribute Financially: Any amount, big or small, will make a tremendous difference in helping him reach his goal and secure the life-saving transplant he so desperately needs. 

Our colleague is eternally grateful for any support you can provide, whether it’s through a donation, sharing this message, or simply keeping him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Together, we can help him overcome this critical illness and give him the chance to return to the life he loves—a life filled with hope, health, and cherished moments with his family. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and compassion. 

"A Second Chance at Life: My Fight Against Chronic Kidney Disease" 

Dear Friends, 

Life has a way of throwing us challenges we never see coming. For me, that moment came in November 2024, when I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Kidney Failure. In the blink of an eye, my world changed forever. 

I went from being a husband, father, and active member of my community to someone who now spends hours tethered to a dialysis machine, fighting to stay alive. My kidney function plummeted by 80% without warning, and I was forced to start dialysis immediately. It’s exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but I’m holding on to hope because I believe in the power of positivity, love, community, and second chances. 

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." – Desmond Tutu 

At 53 years old, I have so much more life I want to live. I want to see my kids grow up, celebrate milestones with my wife, and continue making memories with the people I love. But more than that, I want to be able to continue to give back to the community, esp. the folks who have supported me through this journey. 

Living with CKD is a daily battle. Dialysis keeps me alive, but it comes at a cost. After each session, I feel completely drained—lifeless, even. The metallic taste in my mouth is a constant reminder of my condition, and nausea often makes it hard to eat or enjoy even the simplest pleasures. These challenges are relentless, but I push through them because I believe in the possibility of a brighter future. 

The only way to reclaim my life is through a kidney transplant. Here in Canada, the wait time for a transplant is at least five years! Five years. For someone like me, that’s not just a number—it’s a lifetime. Every day on dialysis takes a toll on my body, my spirit, and my ability to be present for my family and my community. I can’t afford to wait that long. 

That’s why I’m exploring options abroad at a reputable medical institution, where I could receive the life-saving transplant I need much sooner. My incredible wife and children have even stepped forward as potential donors, showing me the depth of their love and sacrifice. But this path comes with a heavy financial burden—one that my family simply cannot bear alone. 

The cost of the transplant, travel, and associated medical expenses is estimated at $90,000. It’s a staggering amount, but I believe in the kindness of others and the strength of community. 

"Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." – Helen Keller 

I’m reaching out to you, my friends, my community, and anyone who believes in the power of hope, to ask for your support. 

Here’s How You Can Help: 

1. Consider Becoming an Organ Donor: Signing your organ donor card could save lives—not just mine, but the lives of countless others waiting for a second chance. Imagine giving someone the gift of more time with their family. 
2. Contribute Financially: Every single dollar brings me closer to the transplant that could save my life. No amount is too small, and every contribution is a step toward hope. 
3. Share My Story: If you can’t donate, please share my story with others. You never know who might be able to help or be inspired to make a difference. 
4. Take Charge of Your Kidney Health: I urge you to ask your doctor to include a simple blood test called the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in your routine blood work. This test estimates how well your kidneys filter blood and provides valuable insights into kidney health. Other tests, like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), can also help paint a more comprehensive picture of kidney function. Early detection can save lives—don’t wait for symptoms to appear. 

I know times are tough for everyone, and asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But I also know the power of compassion. I’ve seen it in the way my wife holds my hand during dialysis, in the way my kids tell me they believe in me, and in the countless stories of people who’ve come together to lift someone up in their darkest hour. 

"It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving." – Mother Teresa 

Your support—whether it’s a donation, sharing my story, or simply keeping me in your thoughts and prayers—means more to me than words can express. It’s a reminder that I’m not alone in this fight, that there’s a community of people who care and believe in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow. 

With your help, I can overcome this illness and return to the life I love—a life filled with laughter, love, and the simple joys we often take for granted. And when I do, I promise to pay it forward. I want to use this second chance to make a difference, to give back to the community that has lifted me up, and to be a source of hope for others who are struggling. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with me. Together, I believe we can make this second chance a reality. 

With endless gratitude and hope,