Kidney transplant a family affair
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Renal disease is on the rise, affecting 1 in 10 Canadians. When the kidneys fail, there are only two options, dialysis or a kidney transplant, something thousands of Canadians are waiting for. Maria Hayes has the story.
Mark Matthews needed a kidney: “I had just about turned 40. And everything fell apart. Oh ya, 40’s great.”
Humour is second nature to Niagara comic Mark Matthews. He’s also been honing his skills at fundraising. It began 5 years ago when he launched the show, Komedy for Kidneys. A tribute to fellow comic Rodney Pentland, who died from renal failure. This weekend, Matthews will be back here at Gateway Park in Port Colborne for the annual kidney walk.
“I just want to do something that I haven’t been doing in a while. The front side of it instead of the quiet back side of say the Komedy for Kidneys.”
Because matthews knows of this disease first hand. More than a decade ago, he was diagnosed with glomer u lon nephritis, a progressive condition that eventually put him in hospital.
“My nephrologist came in and said my kidneys had failed. My reaction was less than classy. They basically took me right upstairs put a central line in my neck and put me on dialysis. So it went from geez I feel awful to that’s it in a matter of hours. There was not a lot of period for adjustment.”
Although dialysis kept him alive, he hated being tethered, 3 times a week, 4 to 5 hours at a time.
“The other harder parts watching the people around you. Seeing the family interactions and the stress on their face. And then seeing an empty chair.”
Eventually, survival required a new kidney. Mark’s brother, David volunteered to be a living donor.
“I didn’t really want my brother to do it because of the risks and stuff. But he just said well if it was me would you do it? Ya. So he goes what’s your problem.”
It’s been almost 8 years since that life saving surgery. Both brothers are doing well. Not surprisingly, Mark actively campaigns for organ donation registration.
“You can help save up to 8-lives just by signing. Tell your family about your wishes. That’s really important. And I always like to say that the last thing you ever do could be the greatest thing you’ve ever done.”
The kidney walk in Port Colborne takes place this Sunday. September 22nd. Contact and donor information can be found at: http://kidney.akaraisin.com/portcolborne13
