The sister of an Abbotsford man has reached out on social media to help him find the kidney donor that he desperately needs.
Chris Stanko, 31, was born with only one functional kidney, and even that has never worked at 100 per cent.
That kidney is now functioning at 12 per cent, meaning that Stanko will need dialysis soon and a donor kidney to stay alive.
Stanko said none of his family members qualify as a donor, due to their own health ailments.
Some friends have looked into the possibility of donating, but nothing has yet transpired.
His sister Char has shared Stanko’s story on Facebook (search “Support for Chris”). In addition to finding a living donor, she hopes to raise up to $10,000 to help with expenses as his health continues to decline and he is on medical leave from his refrigeration job.
Stanko said his energy levels are low and he suffers from “brain fog.”
“I hope one day to have a healthy kidney again so that I can get back to work and live a normal life, and be more contributing to society,” he said.
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His sister wrote on Facebook that having a kidney transplant will offer her brother “more freedom and the ability to live a longer, more fulfilling, life.”
She said many people die while on the wait list for a deceased donor kidney – as of Jan. 1, 2019, there were 669 people in B.C. on the list for a transplant – which is why they are reaching out for a living donor.
Char said a living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.
She urges anyone who doesn’t want to be a living donor to consider registering to be an organ donor after death. (This can be done online at transplant.bc.ca.)
Stanko hopes that, even if a donor cannot be found for him, his story raises awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.
Stanko is blood type O. Anyone interested in more information can call Char at 604-308-1041.
Anyone with questions about becoming a living donor can call BC Transplant at 604-877-2240 or visit the website.
They can also call Vancouver General Hospital’s living donor program at 604-875-5182 (toll-free 1-855-875-5182) or St. Paul Hospital at 604-806-9027 (toll-free 1-877-922-9822).
@VikkiHopes
vhopes@abbynews.com
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