eblasts

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We are reaching out to the community to ask for support for Robert, a 55-year-old man living in Toronto who is suffering from end stage kidney disease. He has been married for 27 years and is the father of three children under the age of 25, one of whom is still in high school. He has relied on a restricted diet and medication for the past 20 years to help preserve his kidney function. Unfortunately, he has had significant deterioration in his kidney function, and his doctors feel that he will be in complete kidney failure by the end of the year. When his kidneys fail, the options are to: 1. be treated on a palliative basis until death; 2. start dialysis for a period of 60 hours per week for life; 3. receive a kidney transplant.   In Ontario, the average wait time to receive a cadaver transplant (eg. Donor kidney from a fatal accident) is 7 years from the date dialysis starts. The average survival time on dialysis, which requires approximately 60 hours of treatment per week, tethered to a machine, is 3 to 5 years. Most people who start dialysis die on dialysis.  A kidney transplant is by far the best option. It will significantly reduce the considerable  medical complications associated with chronic kidney failure and dialysis. In addition, it will restore his health and provide him with a significantly improved quality of life.

Robert has met with the transplant team at UHN. They have advised him that he will require a living donor to provide a kidney within the next 6 to 8 months. A transplant from a living donor is expected to extend his life by twenty years. On dialysis, his life expectancy will be considerably reduced, and will be associated with progressively declining health. He is blood type O+, a universal donor, but can only receive from an O donor or A donor (type -- non A1). He is considered an excellent candidate for a live donation – has no other underlying medical issues, and despite his failing kidneys, is otherwise in excellent health. He has been counselled by his doctors that it would be ideal if he received a transplant before 2018, and the screening process for donors takes about 4 months. 

Robert connected with a Jewish organization in January which has a program called “Renewal". Renewal has advertised in a local community paper with a circulation of ten thousand, 4 times over 2 months. However, thus far, there have been no eligible candidates.  We are reaching out to friends and family to ask them for support.  On May 4, 2017 an information evening will be hosted by Shaar Shomayim Synagogue; if you are able please try to attend to learn more about kidney donation from a previous donor (please see flyer here).