Staff
With just days before a local couple undergoes a living donor kidney transplant, the community is coming together to raise funds to help pay for the costs associated with travelling to Toronto for the surgery.
Leona Grandbois began dating her now-fiancé, Jordan Ellsmere, two-and- a-half years ago. And while Ellsmere had had a long history of kidney problems, his condition began to deteriorate.
The toxin build-up in his body began to cause weakness and lethargy.
After seven years of monitoring his blood pressure and creatinine levels, Ellsmere started treating his Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in October, 2012.
It wasn’t long after their initial visit to Thunder Bay that Ellsmere was put on dialysis.
Each evening, Grandbois would wait patiently as her groom-to-be hooked up to the lifeline that artificially replaced the function of his kidneys.
Although their relationship was tainted by his prognosis, Grandbois immediately began to think of ways she could help.
With only five percent function in each of his kidneys, it became obvious Ellsmere eventually would need a transplant.
As it turned out, the duo was a perfect match in more ways than one.
After months of testing, they were given the go-ahead for a life-altering surgery that will take place this Wednesday in Toronto.
That same day, the couple’s friends will hold a spaghetti supper benefit at the Church of the Holy Spirit here.
The aim is to help with the costs associated with travelling to/from Toronto, room and board while there (until Oct. 24 at the earliest), food, taxis, etc.
The event will run from 5-7 p.m., with tickets costing $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under.
“I just want to help this awesome young couple on the start to their new life together dialysis-free,” said Jordan Christian.
Tickets will be available at Safeway tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. and again Sunday at Walmart starting at 9 a.m.
They also can be purchased from Christian, Marie Hartlin, Erika McKay, and Tashina Morgenstern, as well as at the door.
“We have awesome penny table prizes,” Christian noted.
She added if people cannot attend the benefit but would like to donate, she or any of the others can be contacted to make arrangements.
For more information, call 274-2779.
