Local seniors Paul and Diane (Doll) Duperron, who were married in 1971, have lived in Prince George permanently since 1973. Diane was born and raised in Prince George. Paul was born in Lac La Biche, Alta., and moved to Prince George in 1973.
In 1974 Paul started work as an electrician at Northwood Pulp. In 1987 he was promoted to the position of electrical and instrumentation supervisor/planner. This is the history of his career in a nutshell. Paul was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 1985 and in 2007 Paul's life changed dramatically when his kidneys failed at which time he went on hemo-dialysis. He ended up on long term disability in 2009 due to his kidney failure and then retired in 2012.
In the meantime Diane worked in a home-based business until 2006 when she became her husband's dedicated and primary caregiver due to his medical condition. It was during this traumatic time that the couple met Wayne Kidd, Ann Doddridge and Ernie and Karen Dougan. What they all had in common was a desire to start a kidney support group. They united and formed a board of directors and resurrected the Prince George Chapter of the Kidney Foundation with Wayne Kidd as president. Diane and Paul have been completely involved ever since.
Paul had a kidney transplant in 2011 and their lives changed once again.
"We both agree that we cannot give up the work for the Kidney Foundation. We both feel the need to carry on, to continue with patient services, to provide education and to keep on raising public awareness of this silent disease. We desperately need more volunteers and we need help promoting the organ donation registry."
Today Randy Sokolowski serves as the president of the Prince George chapter, Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch. Diane is vice president and is also the past president; Paul is a director at large on the BC branch board and a director on the chapter board. Deb Prosser is the secretary and Heather Couch is the treasurer.
On June 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Prince George Chapter is holding an Interactive Health Fair and 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Kidney Foundation of Canada in the AiMHi gymnasium located at 950 Kerry Street.
The main objective of the Interactive Health Fair is to make people aware of kidney disease by promoting early detection and risk factors of the disease. The earliest known awareness of compromised kidneys ensures a higher chance of delaying the progression of kidney disease. Some of the planned events at the Interactive Health Fair are targeted screening for kidney function, blood pressure, blood glucose testing, cholesterol testing, blood typing and the booking of appointments for bone density testing.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, family history of kidney disease, ancestry that is Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal, or African and anyone aged 55 and over are at greatest risk for kidney disease.
At 1 p.m. local MLA Shirley Bond will welcome everyone and speak about the Kidney Foundation's 50th anniversary, followed by Dr. Robin Lowry, nephrologist, who will give a presentation on Basic Steps to Kidney Health. Joanne Tabora, pharmacist, will speak on Kidneys and Medication, followed by a Kidney Patients Panel.
Diane says, "We would like to invite you and your family to participate. Come to our event simply for your benefit and enjoy some 50th anniversary cake. Refreshments will be served and there will be a kid-friendly corner play area. The entire event is free of charge and there will be some great door prizes."
If you have any questions about the event contact either Diane Duperron at 250-962-7958 or email: [email protected] or phone Randy Sokolowski at 250-563-9627 or email: [email protected]
Diane was recently elected as a northern regional director to the BC Branch board of directors of the Kidney Foundation. For more information about the foundation visit: www.kidney.ca/bcchapter/princegeorge
For information about organ donations visit: https://transplant.bc.ca/onlinereg/bcts.asp
Isobel Mackenzie, seniors advocate for the province of B.C., will be in Prince George for a public town hall meeting at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 10th Ave., on Wednesday, May 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. She is hoping to meet with seniors in our community to hear our perspectives on the issues and challenges facing seniors in our community. This will be an open meeting so please drop in.
