Brooks teen finds his kidney match

But despite the odds a match was found in just four months.

Over three years ago, Campbell was diagnosed with Anca Vasculitis, a disorder that attacks the kidneys. After a year of attacks from his immune system, he was left with eight per cent kidney function and needed a new kidney.

“We were looking tirelessly for a living donor. It’s usually a better outcome if you can have a living donor,” said Campbell.

It can take up to five years to find a donor. A suitable donor is usually a family member, but Campbell’s family wasn’t a match for his o-negative blood type. He was put on the Disease Donor Transplant list, and it was hard for his family to only watch.

“Every day was so slow. Things were in slow motion. He was sick – very sick,” said family member Jeff Nelson.

After asking the community to consider donating, the family received over 200 emails.

Two individuals were potential matches. But during the screening process for the kidneys, Campbell got a call.

Doctors from Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary had found a potential match.

The donor was deceased, but it was an opportunity.

“I went into the OR at like 7 o’clock and then woke up somewhere at 3am, and I totally don’t know what’s going on but you know you had a kidney transplant, and you’re in the ICU,” said Campbell.

After nine hours, the surgery was successful.

Campbell felt extremely tired and more surgeries followed over the next few months.

During the first year of a kidney transplant, the body is prone to infections so regular testing is required. His father says supportive doctors, along with catching the disease early makes all the difference.

“In case you ever notice something, you can catch it early and you know, we’ve done that and so far so good. You have to be your own advocate sometimes and make sure you’re healthy,” said Nelson.

The family says they had a positive experience with Alberta Children’s Hospital.

At the eight-month mark of Campbell’s recovery, joy set in – he realized he was given a chance to dream again and set goals.

“Yeah, I’m just – I can’t remember a time where I was happier in my whole life. I think its brought a lot of perspective to me now, after being sick for a couple of years and having to have my life slow down,” said Campbell.

His mom is also speechless.

“It was uncertain how things were going to turn out. Now, I just believe in miracles,” said mom Angelina Nelson.

Campbell approaches the one-year mark of his kidney transplant on April 10th. This is a sign his body has accepted the miracle kidney.

He says the kidney is another chance to live for the moment.

by Angela Kazmierczak

Brooks teen finds his kidney match

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