Help Jayson Get a New Kidney

To help Jayson Clark and his family cover the costs associated with the kidney transplant he urgently needs.

In January 2018, My dad was hospitalized due to an excess of water retention throughout his body, alongside several other symptoms that caused him to fall sick. The staff at St. Paul Hospital in Vancouver performed several tests, including a kidney biopsy, which led to his diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. At the time of diagnosis, we were informed that this had tragically attacked both of his kidneys leaving him with only 20% function of his kidneys. These results were alarming as when kidney function goes below 10%, scheduled dialysis is needed to remove toxins and excess fluid from the body.

In September of 2018, his kidneys’ function decreased to only 5%, and therefore his home dialysis journey began. We started looking into kidney transplants and were told that because his blood type is common, luckily, it shouldn’t be too long a wait. At the time, it was expected that the wait for a new kidney would be around a year. In 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic hit and most transplant surgeries were postponed for an unknown length of time. The wait for his new kidney had extended much longer than anticipated.

In July of 2022, My dad and his partner welcomed their daughter into the world (my little sister). They feel beyond blessed with their new addition to the family. However, there is a 2-3 year waitlist for a spot at any local daycare, and his partner, Ayumi, has now largely had to be a stay-at-home mom. His work has continued through the pandemic. He works a physically demanding job as a finishing carpenter to support his family, keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads. He relies on daily dialysis which is not getting any easier.

Unfortunately, My dad contracted COVID-19 and developed pneumonia, which left him unable to work for a month. Since his diagnosis, he has been hospitalized five times and has lost a quarter of his body weight. The last few years have been so challenging. Not only has his condition stopped him from enjoying some of the things he loves — playing hockey, living without dialysis, and spending time with his family — but, it has also stopped him from being able to work steadily.

If he undergoes kidney transplant surgery soon, he will have to be off work for a minimum of 3 months, as his job is so physically demanding that his body needs to be fully recovered prior to recommencing work. His family cannot financially afford to lose this income. My dad has been waiting until they can afford all of the associated costs (including accommodations near the hospital in Vancouver, transportation to and from the hospital, and lifelong anti-rejection medications) in addition to their regular living expenses. He cannot wait any longer. He feels sick with cramps, headaches, and fatigue all day after every dialysis. A session of dialysis is equivalent to running a full marathon and he no longer has the energy to do anything outside of work. He is nearing the inability to support his family.

Please help my dad get back to his healthy life to be able to spend quality time with his partner Ayumi, my sister Ema, and me. Our family will be endlessly grateful for any help you can offer, and for even taking the time to read this. It is amazing that people are willing to offer help to their family, friends, and maybe even a stranger; and I cannot thank you enough!