For Randy Sokolowski, receiving a new kidney was not only life saving but life changing.
"It's like having a new life," he said. "I owe my sister everything. I feel 100 per cent now. I haven't felt this good in 15 years."
In 2005, Sokolowski received a new kidney from his sister and today, he is determined to keep raising awareness about the disease and in particular, live kidney donation.
"I don't think people are aware that you can be a live donor and how easily you can live with just one kidney," said Sokolowski.
The 67-year-old volunteer and past president of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Prince George Chapter, continues to spread the word.
And with March being Kidney Health Awareness Month, the chapter feels it is especially important as they make their rounds to various health and wellness events.
"We've been here since 2006 and it's so important for us to continue to raise awareness," said Dianne Duperron, president of the Kidney Foundation in Prince George.
"And for me, it's also very near and dear to my heart," Dupperon said.
Dupperon's husband Paul is currently undergoing dialysis treatments and after a failed kidney transplant, the couple is hopeful that another will be the answer they've been waiting for.
With one in 10 Canadians living with the disease, The Kidney Foundation of Canada supports individuals, donors, staff members and volunteers all across the country.
It continues to provide knowledge regarding available treatments, prevention and support to those affected by the disease.
Sokolowski was diagnosed with the disease in 1999.
"I only had 10 per cent of my kidney functioning," Sokolowski said.
With regular visits to the Renal Services/Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic in Prince George, Sokolowski was able to get the help he needed.
"I didn't have to have dialysis. This can be so hard on the body," Sokolowski said. "But I was so lucky that my sister was there and that she was a healthy donor. She was younger and very healthy. My sister was back to normal after one month. It took me about six months after a few struggles, but I made it through."
According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the success rate for a living donor is 90-95 per cent and the transplanted kidney lasts 15-20 years on average.
Anyone who is healthy can be a donor and with no evidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease or hepatitis.
"People should really consider being donors. It could change a life," Sokolowski said.
"I can't thank my sister enough."
The Kidney Foundation of Canada/Prince George Chapter will be at the Wellness Fair at UNBC on March 28.
The foundation also holds regular meetings for anyone interested or who has been affected by the disease. The next meeting will be held at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George on March 23 at 7 p.m. in the first floor conference room.
For more information about the Kidney Foundation of Canada, visit www.kidney.bc.ca.
