Pekars grateful for kidney gift

More than 1,500 Ontarians are on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant.

Arie Pekar of Dundas was one of them. We first told you about his condition one month ago. Pekar has polycystic kidney disease. And while his kidneys were failing, he had to wait three years for a transplant. But it turned out his friend and neighbour was his perfect match.

“Chicken wings and pizza right? Just kidding!”

Pekar jokes around with his friend Darren Kudlets about ways to keep Darren’s kidney — the one inside him — happy. Pekar says the transplant has instantly changed his life. “Overnight the nausea is gone, the itching is gone, all those toxins that have built up in my body Darren’s kidney just flushed out.”

“I’m dealing with the recovery of a surgery, anaesthetic side effects, incisions and staples and all that stuff, that’s all gonna go away.”

As he waited for a donor Pekar was on dialysis for eight months. The method he used meant he couldn’t have any contact with water. It was hard not enjoying bath time with his new born son Benjamin.

Pekar is on drugs to suppress his immune system so his body won’t attack his new kidney. Wife Joy admits to having some doubts early on in the process.

“My biggest fear is that the surgery wouldn’t work, that the transplant would be rejected. And my other biggest fear is that our son would grow up with a dad who is ill.”

Pekar is committed to eating well, not exposing himself to germs and taking his medication. “As long as I do that and take my meds, it’s a good chance I can get a good lifespan out of this.”

Dr J. Zaltzman, a nephrologist at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto did the surgery. “He got a living donor kidney, which is the best kind of kidney that someone can hope for. He’s young and he has a long life ahead of him. One would hope this kidney would last 15-20 years and longer if he’s fortunate.”

Darren Kudlets says he was never fearful about the surgery or living with one less kidney, he’s just happy to have his friend back. “As time goes on he’ll have more energy and he wont use it as an excuse not to go biking anymore.”

The Pekars feel fortunate their story ended this way, with the help of a neighbour and long time friend.

“There’s no thank you that’s big enough.”

Pekar inherited polycystic kidney disease from his mother Ilana. She is 60 and has been on dialysis for 20 years.

They are asking as many people as possible to come forward to help her find a match. Since she is very difficult to match, it’s a numbers game.

The Pekars are reminding everyone to sign their donor cards, and to visit the be a donor website. Once you decide to be an organ donor, be sure to tell your friends and family about your decision.