Thursday is World Kidney Day, and The Kidney Foundation of Canada wants people to have an open conversation about kidney disease and getting diagnosed.
“The sooner that they know, the more opportunity, the more options that are on the plate for your team to be able to help you out. So, yes, early diagnosis is absolutely key,” said Ed Saunders, development coordinator for the organization’s Atlantic branch.
Of the one in 10 Canadians who have the disease, many don’t know it, he added, and getting a replacement kidney isn’t easy.
“Right now, the average waiting time could be up to four years or more for some people,” said Saunders.
Neil Benedict, a technical co-ordinator at Global Halifax, received a kidney transplant in 2014 from his father.
Minus “a few ups and downs,” the addition is functioning fine.
“I can tell you from personal experience, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that someone is behind you wanting to give you a kidney,” said Benedict.
While a living donation is a significant commitment, he said signing up to be an organ donor, which he’s done, is easy.
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