‘We watched our boy fight for his life’
Local boy needs kidney transplant
He’s an energetic three-year-old local boy and he needs a kidney.
Lucas Everitt’s mom Natasha McGreish stood in front of the microphone during the opening ceremony of the 11th annual Kidney Walk held Sunday afternoon at AiMHi’s gymnasium and before she could even start telling their story she was in tears.
To give her a moment to collect herself, Mayor Lyn Hall, who had greeted the walk participants moments earlier, started applause to show that she was among friends and that she could take all the time she needed before she continued her most difficult speech.
Surrounded by her family, including Ryan Everitt, Lucas’s father, and son Carson, along with Lucas who sat comfortably in his dad’s arms, McGreish stood before the microphone looking out at about 80 people who were gathered to support the cause before they all set out to do the 2.5 km walk around the Lac des Bois school track.
McGreish talked about discovering Lucas had issues with his kidneys at 14 weeks in utero and how after only five days old, Lucas had a major health crisis due to his under-developed kidneys.
“We watched our boy fight for his life and there was nothing we could do,” McGreish said. “I wish I could say that Lucas’s struggles ended there but I cannot. His first year of life was full of ups and downs, constant blood work, surgeries, bladder infections, appointments and hospital admissions that took a toll on all of us.”
McGreish said there were many sleepless nights as Lucas’s parents wondered how long it could all go on. At a year old, Lucas had his right kidney removed.
“Surgery was tough and recovery was even tougher,” McGreish said. “Once again Lucas showed us his strength and powered through and I’m happy to say the last two years have been amazing for Lucas and our family.”
It turns out the kidney that had been removed was a source of infection and since having it removed, Lucas has been infection free.
“But Lucas’s story does not end here,” McGreish said. “We are now going through the preparation testing for Lucas’s kidney transplant.”
McGreish and dad Ryan are being tested right now and it looks like McGreish might be the right candidate to be the donor and will know more after extensive testing if that’s the case. In the meantime, her immediate family is reaching out to other members of their family, friends and strangers to find a match.
Because transplanted kidneys don’t have a lifelong expectancy it’s likely Lucas will need another kidney transplant in the future and McGreish reminded those in the gymnasium that organ donation is very important to consider.
“We are here today to spread awareness of kidney disease and advocate for all who are awaiting transplants,” said McGreish, who went on to thank family and friends for their support and everyone who helped them through their health journey with Lucas.
Paul Duperron, a longtime volunteer with the local Kidney Foundation branch who received a kidney transplant in 2011, is once again on the active donor list as the transplanted kidney has significantly reduced function. Duperron is back to being on dialysis three times a week.
Duperron and his wife Diane have been involved with the Kidney Foundation for many years and know the importance of organ donation and ask everyone to consider registering as organ donors today. Visit transplant.bc.ca.
It’s not too late to make a donation to the Kidney Foundation, were funds will be directed to local services and programs as well as research.
To donate visit kidney.ca.