All across the world, people are impacted by the challenges of kidney disease. My mother was one of those people and through her experience, I learned that it is a complex disease that has a big impact on people’s quality of life. In Canada, we are very fortunate to have an organ donor registry.

Not every country has a program like this. In Pakistan, the only option for receiving a kidney is through a living donor. As you can read in my story, my mom needed a kidney when she went into kidney failure in Pakistan. Thankfully, I was a match for my mom. I was her one lifeline in her time of need, and I am so grateful I was able to give her that gift. But others don’t have the same opportunity. Knowing this only deepens my gratitude for the organ donor program in Canada.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada has been instrumental in advocating for kidney donation across the country. It’s been a core part of the organization’s work, ever since it was founded 60 years ago. In 1974, more than one million organ donor cards were distributed to Canadians by The Kidney Foundation. And in 1987, The Kidney Foundation’s advocacy helped lead to organ donation consent forms placed on the backs of newly issued Medicare cards. Efforts like these have helped so many people get matched with kidneys they desperately needed, and the organization continues to intensify its efforts to advocate for equitable access to transplants for all Canadians.

I’m proud to help The Kidney Foundation in any way that I can—as a volunteer and as a donor. You can help too by making a much-needed donation today. Your support will help change the outlook on kidney disease and even work toward a cure. Please donate in honour of The Kidney Foundation’s 60th anniversary today.

With gratitude and hope, 

Sofia Kamran

Volunteer

The Kidney Foundation of Canada