Birthday wish: ‘I need a living kidney donor’
Port Maitland woman was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 17
Tina DeBoersap needs a kidney to save her life. She hopes it’ll happen in time for her 64th birthday, Tuesday.
She’s sitting on her back deck in Port Maitland near Dunnville, admiring Lake Erie while she shares her story. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 17, the disease has made her dependant on insulin for more than four decades.
“My kidneys are tired,” she said. “No one is surprised by the outcome. I knew it was coming, but I thought I had more time.”
For the past few years, DeBoersap has had kidney disease which has been monitored monthly with blood tests. She’s now “Stage 5,” and there isn’t a Stage 6.
“For years, I was stable at 15 per cent (kidney function) which is considered end stage kidney disease,” she said. “It was surprising in June when it went down to 12 and then 11 in August.”
Dr. Alistair Ingram, nephrologist at St. Joseph’s Health Care in Hamilton, said people who have kidneys functioning at five to 10 per cent generally require dialysis or a transplant.
“A lot depends on the underlying problem causing the kidney failure,” he said. “The biggest factor in kidney disease in the western world is diabetes, but patients may also present with other illnesses.”
“I need a transplant yesterday,” DeBoersap said. “When you know you’re not going to live if this doesn’t happen, it’s a weird feeling. You’re totally out of control.” She added that dialysis isn’t ideal because of her cardiac problems.
“We’re able to transplant people with a variety of health challenges,” Ingram said. “Those who meet the criteria … generally have a better quality of life and live longer after transplant than if they stayed on dialysis. An average kidney lasts between 15 to 20 years,” he said. “The success rate is excellent … 95 per cent who get a kidney transplant at St. Joe’s would have that transplant work, the rate of early failure is very low.”
Family members couldn’t help DeBoersap. Her identical twin is a perfect match, but she was taken off the list because of a blood pressure problem.
“My son is not a candidate and my daughter was going to be screened when she learned she was pregnant,” she said. “I feel pushed against a wall. I’m overwhelmed because I have to find a donor.”
DeBoersap is blood type A positive, but can also accept an O positive donor. A living donor is necessary; a deceased donor wouldn’t be suitable because of her health.
For information on how to help, contact St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s transplant donor unit at 905-522-1155, ext. 35170.
There is also a Facebook page with additional information about DeBoersap’s situation.
To register to be an organ donor or check if you are already on the list visit: https://beadonor.ca/campaign/thespec