March is Kidney Health Month
Cristina Howorun with CityNews tells 570 NEWS she found out she had end-stage kidney disease a few years ago and it was a complete shock.
“I was out covering a story when I got the phone call from my doctor saying you have to go to the emergency room, right now,” said Howorun. “I went literally from, you know, wearing a blazer and asking people questions. To being in a hospital gown within just a few hours.”
Howorun ended up going on dialysis very quickly, spending 12 hours every day hooked up to a machine.
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She was able to get a live kidney donation from her cousin a year and a half ago, and says she feels years younger now.
“I was totally blessed. The wait time for me was expected to be five to seven years for a kidney donation. But, my cousin Christine just bravely and immediately raised her hand and said 'try me out. Try me out.'”
She takes 19 pills a day now to keep her body from rejecting the new kidney.
Her cousin is also doing well.
The Kidney Foundation says kidney disease impacts one in 10 Canadians.
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Signs of kidney disease include very high blood pressure and extreme fatigue.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is kicking off its #SixDegreeChallenge today on social media to raise awareness about kidney health.
Challengers can post selfies as they hold up six fingers, sharing their connection to kidney disease. and they are also tagging six friends to do the same.
March 11 is World Kidney Day.
