Norfolk resident Jaden Banfield is sharing his personal health journey in hopes of inspiring more Canadians to consider organ and blood donation.
Born with a rare condition called posterior urethral valve — a congenital obstruction in the urethra of male infants that can block urine flow and damage the kidneys — Banfield faced complications from birth. He later received a kidney transplant from his mother, but fitting an adult kidney into an infant is not easy.
His mother’s kidney gave him 19 years before complications from anti-rejection medication caused cancer. After successful treatment, he has been cancer-free for the past two years — an achievement he is very proud of. Recently, however, Banfield’s kidney function has begun to fail.
He undergoes hemodialysis several times a week while on the deceased donor list, but he says a living donor would provide the best long-term outcome. Several people, including his uncle, are being tested as potential matches.
Banfield hopes his story will inspire Canadians to become living organ donors by registering for the national Paired Donor Program. He notes that even going through the screening process can be beneficial.
He also asks that everyone give blood regularly.
Canadian Blood Services put out an urgent call for O negative blood donors this summer and Banfield was clear that donating saves lives. He added that whether it’s “blood, bone marrow, or organs — it all makes a difference.”
For more information, visit blood.ca and living donations.