Photos For Kidneys

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Matthew Lee

Matt’s is partly a story of numbers.

At the age of 8, Matt found out his kidneys were failing, and the next 14 years were filled with frequent hospital visits and sacrifice. He reluctantly began dialysis a few days before his 22nd birthday. The next 2 years were a road to discovery of self and how to accept his arduous situation.

His story does not end there. After 7 tough years on dialysis, he underwent 3 major surgeries in the space of 3 years. The first was heart surgery for endocarditis and the dialysis treatments made his recovery really difficult. He then received a kidney transplant, and a year later, a second heart surgery. His journey has required much self-reflection and personal growth. Today, 5 years post transplant, he is in a very good place. Matt volunteers at the Kidney Foundation of Canada as part of their Saving Lives Ambassador Committee.

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain”. – Miyamoto Musashi