Kidney Stories of Hope Campaign 2009
Stories of love, courage and determination, stories of caring and support: across the country people answered our invitation and took the time to tell us how kidney disease has affected them or someone they love. We wish to thank everyone who participated by sharing their experiences and feelings.
Selecting only one story per region was a very difficult task for our panel of judges. We are honored, however, to present some of the most compelling stories received.
The Kidney Story of Hope Campaign was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Shire Canada. In addition to providing the $500 cash prize awarded to the author of each story selected, Shire Canada also donated $2500 to The Kidney Foundation of Canada as a continued commitment to all Canadians living with kidney disease.
Paul Shay, Executive National Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, and
Sébastien Martel, Product Manager, Shire Canada Inc.
It was mid-afternoon on September 22, 1999 and my first fully conscious
awareness was of a nurse propping me in a sitting position, handing me
a really large pill and a glass of water with the coaxing instruction
to swallow it... 
I joined the Canadian Forces at the age of 18 with a strong desire
to serve the people of Canada and make a difference. After four years
of university and almost another two years of training, I finally
started my proud service as an army officer, living the life I had
worked so hard for. Shortly thereafter, at the much-too-young age of
24, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)...
From a very early age, we knew that my nephew Kyle was going to need a
kidney transplant. When playing with this funny little boy it was scary
to think of what the future might hold for him. Would a kidney be found
for him? Would he need dialysis? Would he be healthy enough to do all
the things that boys like to do?...
Voici le texte que j’ai écris à mon père et que je lui ai donné juste avant
son opération pour la pose de son cathéter pour l’hémodialyse. Par le
passé, il avait vécu plusieurs opérations en lien avec la dialyse
péritonéale, malheureusement sans succès. J’avais alors décidé de lui
écrire ce texte pour l’encourager, malgré les difficultés rencontrées,
à poursuivre les démarches en dialyse en attendant la greffe qui
viendrait un jour...
I am a daughter who has seen her mother go through changes in her
life due to kidney failure. She has been battling this disease since
Dec 1983. I can remember her having no energy and really tired. We were
not sure what was wrong until she was taken into the hospital and was
hooked up to dialysis immediately. She was very lucky to be alive. She
was so close to death, less than 8 hours is all the doctor gave her
when he diagnosed her with kidney failure...