Daleyn MacIsaac’s family promoting the Kidney Paired Donation program through Canadian Blood Services
It’s been well over a year since Bradford teen Daleyn MacIsaac was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease attacking her lungs and kidneys, and just a few months since she started her search for a kidney donor.
Daleyn and her parents Dale and Minerva have been sharing their story in the community in hopes of finding a perfect match for a kidney, but it proving to be more difficult than they imagined.
Their family is already struggling financially due to Dale’s own health issues, and Minerva’s entertainment business, Minerva’s Creations, operating in a limited capacity due to party and event cancellations from COVID.
The family has a long road ahead. Daleyn continues to travel to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto in preparation for what will be an eventual kidney transplant, with up to four appointments per week including X-rays, CT Scans, ultrasounds, eye and ear checks, and bloodwork. She continues to do her dialysis treatments for 10 hours per night and does her school studies in the day.
“Some mornings she feels okay while others she doesn’t feel well,” explained Minerva, “the same goes for nights where she suddenly feels weak, achy and even dizzy.”
The cost of gas, food and medications are starting to pile up for the MacIsaac family and they know they still have a long road ahead.
Once a donor is found, recovery from the surgery takes around three to six months and will still be required to take a concoction of drugs and steroids to suppress her immune system.
Daleyn is hopeful that a successful kidney transplant will give her at least 80 percent of her life back.
“We are appealing for help in finding a successful match from a live donor,” said Minerva, “so far her doctors say they are still trying to find that perfect match.”
In order to be a donor, the following criteria must be met:
- Must be 18-55 years of age
- Blood Type O
- A healthy weight for their height
- In good health without diabetes, cancer, kidney, heart disease and COVID-free
- Only people who are in excellent physical and mental health are qualified to donate
- Willing to freely donate
Benefits of being a Kidney Donor:
- You can reimburse your mileage or other related expenses that you used during the application process
- The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care established a fund to help reduce the financial stress incurred by living organ donation
- The Program for Reimbursing Expenses of Living Organ Donors (PRELOD) is administered by Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN). PRELOD reimburses living organ donors for certain qualified out-of-pocket expenses and loss of income after surgery incurred through the living donation process. PRELOD aims to help reduce financial burdens that may prevent someone from deciding to become a living organ donor.
Those who are not a match can still help by taking part in the Kidney Paired Donation program by Canadian Blood Services that matches donors and recipients across Canada, which has matched over 600 registrants with donors since 2009.
“People who are not a match for their friend or loved one may help someone like Daleyn and vice versa,” explained Minerva, hoping to encourage others to consider participating.
The family has a Go Fund Me page set up to help with their expenses.
Anyone who is interested in being a donor can get in touch with Minerva by sending her an email at mm_ignacio@hotmail.com or text at 647-205-4031.
2020-12-13 00:00:00
