As the warm winds of March swirl throughout our great country, a new season openly invites us to participate in the seasonal activities we patiently waited for: spring break, baseball’s Grapefruit season, hockey playoffs, golf season and so many other fun things. The keyword, now and forever, being fun. As we slowly put away our winter clothing — it can be challenging to be physically nimble in such layers — we triumphantly celebrate getting to do some of the things we love to do. As we bask in the increased sunlight hours and extend our days, we need to accept the gentle reminder of the time of year and answer it with caring compassion.
Forgive me for being, perhaps, too blunt and too personal, but when are we able to share the time with others, but mostly ourselves, to concentrate on what our kidneys do? It isn’t water cooler chat, never mind Sunday dinner conversation. We don’t think about their functionality and how they gently waltz with other body organs, which keep us going. Until, that is, until there’s something wrong. After all, it’s National Kidney Month and more specifically, March 14 is World Kidney Day. In this case, the writer’s due diligence is to dig up as much information as possible about kidney health and what we must do to keep our kidneys healthy. I could easily perform that task and give you all kinds of facts and figures, trying to put my own spin and offer some sort of thesis. However, after going through websites for further interesting information, a thought struck me that coincides with the David Foster Foundation’s mission.
I wonder how many new parents do extensive research – and by this, I mean taking a deep dive and an investigative approach on a youngster’s kidney days, even weeks, after they are diagnosed with an issue. Perhaps that all changes when their doctor utters the word no parent should hear: their bundle of joy’s kidney simply isn’t working and a transplant is needed as soon as possible.
When something like that happens in terms of a major challenge presenting itself, the noble default position is to go into information overload and find out as much as you can. With the internet, information is easy to access. Buried within the words and figures is the precious community of hope which can offer solace and peace in so many ways.
The first step for parents is to have a clear mind, and not having to worry about making sure regular financial monthly obligations such as mortgages, car payments and other expenses are not forgotten. Essentially making sure that family financial stress, which many can relate to, is not an additional burden.
This is where the work of the David Foster Foundation comes in. Providing support to families of children needing organ transplants so the parents can focus on getting their child healthy. In fact, kidney transplants are prevalent: an internet statistic from Toronto’s Hospital for SickKids says they have alone performed over 1,000 kidney transplants since 1969. Moreover, a total of 2,078 kidney transplants took place across Canada in 2023.
Those are daunting numbers to be sure. But with the skilled surgeons and support from the David Foster Foundation, parents can take comfort in warm March winds: like spring, help creates countless beginnings, including having outdoor fun.
