Source: Trail Daily Times, A Trail resident is about to get his life back thanks to his best buddy who’ll give up a kidney for him.
“I asked all of my long-time friends and then out of the blue he says, ‘Where do I sign up?’” said Richard McQuary, a 42-year-old man who has 30 per cent function in his kidneys due to a disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering system causing serious scarring.
The Trail resident discovered he had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis about 13 years ago, when he thought he had a urine infection and doctors discovered loads of protein in his urine.
Now after only 18 months of dialysis, McQuary is preparing for a new kidney from best friend Corey Comeau.
“All I keep hearing from people is negativity, of what they can’t do,” said Comeau, 39. “I thought if I had a chance to donate, I would right away.”
After months of blood tests, CT scans and X-rays, the two found out that Comeau is miraculously the right match. The pair will go through with the transplant July 7.
“I was in shock,” said McQuary when he realized that the transplant was a possibility. “It doesn’t seem real yet. It won’t really kick in until we’re laying in the hospital.”
The happy-go-lucky man had to leave his job as a meat cutter, when working part-time and going for dialysis at least three times a week took a toll on him.
“I felt pretty rough – weak and fatigued,” said McQuary, who was prescribed prednisone prior to receiving dialysis.
Though the two men have only known each other for about three years, their bond stretches further.
“He’s just so fun to be around, he has a good sense of humour and is a very loyal friend,” said Comeau.
Ever since the idea sparked, Comeau’s common-law spouse Jennifer Buyzat has been fully on board.
“I’m very honoured, proud and happy,” said the care aid.
She and McQuary’s mother, Faye Poirier, have been extremely supportive.
“It’s such a miracle,” said Poirier.
The procedure requires McQuary to stay in Vancouver for two months and Comeau a week – an expensive stay to say the least.
To raise some funds for their trip down to the Coast, the crew is holding two fundraisers.
The Arlington will host the first event on June 17, when 25 per cent of food sales will be donated to the cause. The karaoke night will be held from 7-10 p.m.
On July 27, an “after-church barbeque” will take place at Gyro Park at 1 p.m.
Raising awareness in some instances can be just as valuable as bringing in funds for kidney disease, according to Sharon Deyotte, who has organized a fundraiser this Saturday.
Rock Your Kidneys is a free family event at Bryan’s Transfer from 4-10 p.m. with proceeds going to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
There will be face painting, visits from Sydney the Kidney, live music from local favourites – Larry Relkoff of Castlegar and the Tosh Mahal band from the Slocan – and Trail’s newest royalty will even be making an appearance.
“B.C. has the highest rate of kidney disease in Canada, yet the least amount of organ donors,” said Deyotte, who has poured her energy into volunteering since she sold Ye Olde Flower Shoppe.
“It’s my time to give back to the community,” she said.
Those interested in coming out the event can make a donation if they wish – anyone giving $25 or more will receive a tax receipt.
The occasion would not have been possible without help from Bryan Levick, who suggested the idea and offered the location, and all those who will volunteer their time and talent for the zero-budget event.
Deyotte also looks forward to the foundation’s annual walk on Aug. 29 at Gyro Park.
For more information on kidney disease, visit www.kidney.ca
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