“Hercules” is the name of my new transplanted kidney! He is strong and mighty and for the past 14 months, he has allowed me to experience what a “normal” body feels like.

I wake up well rested and with an even flow of energy throughout the day. I work full-time, go to the gym, eat whatever healthy foods I want and best of all, I’m not in bed asleep by 7:30 p.m.

It was not so long ago that Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) ravaged my body. In true PKD style, fluid filled cysts took over my two native kidneys which led to kidney failure. My nephrologist had always encouraged me to explore the kidney transplant option.

In May of 2022, I had officially squeezed out every ounce of kidney function I had left and succumbed to dialysis treatment to survive until a kidney donor would come forward.

The urgency for a kidney was amplified and fortunately for me, friends and family offered to be tested. In July of 2022, my 74-year-old father gave me life for the second time and donated one of his kidneys to me.

My surgery was 10 hours long and included removing both of my native kidneys due to their size. I was out of the hospital after 5 days and my father returned home after 3 days. He resumed his normal activities shortly thereafter and he will say “I don’t feel any different at all”.

I love my 11-inch abdominal scar and cute “kidney bump”. It’s a daily reminder to me of the selfless act of my donor and how grateful I am that I live in Canada and was not faced with the financial burden of medical bills.

My reasons for participating in the Kidney Walk have changed over the course of the years.

Initially, my intentions were more personal in nature-I had hoped for a research breakthrough to spare me from kidney failure.

Following dialysis, I walk for those I left behind. I see their faces and I have felt their struggles. They are waiting indefinitely on dialysis for someone to step forward and rescue them too.