Two local Pentictonites receive a kidney transplant just days apart, speak out on the second chance at life and importance of donation

Photo: Jason Yadlowski

Yadlowski right after his transplant surgery.

“You're almost like kidney brothers now. We're connected.”

A kidney transplant patient is hoping to share and inspire others to help those that are waiting for donors, after receiving his last week alongside another Penticton local.

Jason Yadlowski and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Indian Band member and president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, have both been getting dialysis for around two years, connecting over their treatments at the Penticton Regional Hospital.

“We talk here and there but it ended up being that we ended up going to Vancouver at the same time to get kidney transplants," Yadlowski shared.

Yadlowski had gotten a call on Jan. 31 from Vancouver, telling him a kidney was available and he had to get there immediately. Bags packed and their jobs on hold, Yadlowski rushed with his wife down to the mainland.

The surgery happened the very next day.

"I was actually in the bed and I got my transplant and I was recovering, still am recovering and then he walked into the room. It was like holy smokes, I had no idea he was going to be there too, what a coincidence.”

Philip got his kidney donated from his daughter and Yadlowski received one from a person that signed up to donate upon passing. Another person's life was also saved from that donor, who also recovered in the same room as them.

“So that donation saved two lives,” Yadlowski said. “We talked about our donors and how we're trying to promote kidney donations because it really saved our lives. We would've just lasted another few years.”

"It just made us talk about how people hear stories like that maybe they'll be more open to donation."

So far, everyone is recovering well at the Vancouver General Hospital, where they’ll stay for the next two to three months.

Photo: Jason Yadlowski

Yadlowski and his two daughters, ages 8 and 10

Yadlowski has been affected by kidney disease for over ten years, and last year had both of his kidneys removed. Another Penticton local offered to donate her kidney to save his life, but wasn't a perfect match. Lori Capozzi is still trying to find someone to donate to.

“That was a major surgery but it made me feel better and it made me survive. I was almost dying about a year ago,” he shared.

“I was very active, I played sports all my life, outdoors and everything. I just couldn't play anymore, you're tired, fatigued, and in pain.”

At only 48, Yadlowski explained that he was quite young to need a donation, seeing most patients in their 60s and 70s. But now, he’s got a new opportunity on life and is forever grateful for it.

“I'm would've probably passed away in my 50s for sure if I didn't get the kidney….The hardest part is having two young daughters because there's always a big chance that you're not going to see your next birthday, see them graduated or get married. But now I can.”

Throughout the dialysis treatments, which ran three times a week for about four to five hours, Yadlowski kept working and focusing on the positives, the possibilities.

"Very challenging but you have to do it to survive really. You're constantly tired and constantly in pain but you have to do it. You kind of just going through it because you know the transplant is going to hopefully come,” he said.

“From a mental health aspect, everything, there's a light at the end of the tunnel thank goodness somebody donated.”

His wife, Julie Forrest, is by his side helping him through the recovery. She also put her job on hold to come to Vancouver.

“You have to have something to fight for, you do it for your family...You feel for the person that donated, you want to fight for them too that they died almost to give you life, to represent their life too.”

Find out about registering to become an organ donor in B.C. here.

Photo: Jason Yadlowski

Right before heading into surgery, Yadlowski gives a thumbs up