Stewart Lee will never know who gave him a second chance at a full life, but he will always be grateful.
In August 2010, the Burnaby man was getting his regular kidney dialysis treatment when his doctor called with good news: an organ donor had been found, and he was going to get a new kidney to take over the job of his own pair that were failing.
Lee was 45 at the time, and since his transplant operation, his health has taken a significant turn for the better.
"I have a lot more energy," he said, noting he was able to move up to a more competitive level in dragon boating, one of his favourite activities. "I can't swim, so it took me a long time to get me going on that, but I love the water now."
Lee had been on dialysis for about five years before he received the new organ.
At a young age he had developed high blood pressure, which eventually led to kidney failure. Luckily for him, having a less common blood type (AB+) meant he only had to wait four years for a kidney, while others might wait decades or die before they can get a donated organ.
"Even while I was on dialysis I had a few friends that passed away (while) waiting for transplants," he said. "There was one year when there were four people that passed away."
Lee hopes more people will register to be organ donors so that others can receive the "gift of life."
According to the B.C. Transplant Association, 85 per cent of British Columbians agree with organ donation, yet only 18 per cent have registered to be donors.
The good news, however, is that a record-setting 306 organs were donated in 2012 - up from the previous record of 295 in 2010 - and that included 90 living donors.
On Sunday, April 28, Lee will be one of more than 300 participants at the second-annual Transplant Trot at Burnaby Lake Park, to benefit the Canadian Transplant Association. The five or eight kilometre walk/run event is meant to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage people to sign up to be organ donors, as well as promote a healthy lifestyle for transplant recipients.
The race starts at 10 a.m., and participants can sign up online. Registration is $30, and transplant recipients and kids 12 and under register for free.
There will be prizes and food for participants, as well as entertainment and a raffle.
Lee will not be on the course this year because he will be there as Sidney the Kidney, a mascot for the transplant association.
"I've done it before and the kids love it," he said.
To sign up for the run, visit www. transplanttrot.ca/Vancouver or email [email protected] or call organizer Elizabeth Edward at 604-987-6848.
To become an organ donor, go to www.transplant.bc.ca.
