Cancer touches everyone’s life in some way, whether they experience it personally or have a loved one living with the disease. My family is no different.

My brother Paul’s kidney cancer diagnosis came on suddenly. One moment, we were joyously celebrating a cousin’s wedding together. The next moment, he saw blood in his urine and rushed off to the hospital to find out what was wrong. 

Like other forms of kidney disease, kidney cancer is hard to detect at first. It doesn’t present big symptoms like other illnesses, not until the disease is advanced. 

Though my brother had a zest for life and always chose to look on the bright side, his battle with kidney cancer was hard fought. Paul died just a couple of weeks after the big birthday party we threw for his 60th. I’ll never forget his smile that day or the joy he carried throughout his journey. 

That was five years ago. And since then, amazing research has taken place, more awareness has been raised about kidney disease, and our understanding of it has deepened. It makes me hopeful that the odds will only get better for people like Paul. 

As someone who has been impacted by kidney disease myself, I know how important it is to provide support for those with kidney disease now while looking for ways to prevent it in the future. And as a staff member at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, I’m confident that our team is best poised to do this important work. 

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is dedicated to supporting research that has the potential to improve screening, treatment, and outcomes for kidney disease. And we are also committed to providing meaningful support to anyone experiencing kidney disease—both patients and caregivers. 

I’ve met many of these people through my work and it’s my favourite part of my job because it reminds me of the far-reaching impact donors and supporters make all across the country. And together, we can keep making a difference.