04/26/2025
*Please share to help Sri*
Hi, my name is Babena Sri. Ten years ago, my father, Sri Shanmuganathan, was diagnosed with membranous nephropathy — a rare autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks its own kidneys. Despite years of treatment and resilience, his condition slowly progressed. Today, he is living with end-stage kidney failure and undergoes hemodialysis three times a week, four hours at a time — a grueling routine he’ll have to maintain for the rest of his life unless a miracle happens.
That miracle could be you. We’re urgently searching for a living kidney donor with blood type O+ or O- who is willing to donate in Toronto. While we are born with two kidneys, a healthy person can live a normal, healthy life with just one. Your generosity could give my dad a second chance at life.
My father is on the waiting list for a deceased donor, but unfortunately there aren’t enough organs for everyone on the transplant list and he could wait up to seven years before a suitable donor is found. If a living donor steps forward to donate to him, he’ll get off the list for a deceased donor and everyone behind him will move up. The living donor will save two lives!
My father needs a donor who is 18 or older. There is no upper age limit and you don’t need to be related or from the same background. We have spoken to friends and relatives during the past few months but we are still searching.
My father retired in July , however, because my father is on dialysis every couple of days, he hasn’t been able to spend time with his family or enjoy retirement as he wished. My father’s goal post transplant is to travel without worrying about dialysis, spend time with his grandchildren without feeling tired, and enjoy retirement.
As I write this, I feel a mix of emotions — a sense of urgency, anxiety and hope. We never imagined that we would have to reach out for help in such a public way. But when a loved one's life hangs in the balance, one's reluctance to step out of the comfort zone fades away. I have seen firsthand the toll that a serious illness can take on a person, physically and emotionally. It's heart-wrenching to witness the pain and frustration that comes with a deteriorating health condition. I believe that by sharing my father’s story, we can make a difference in the lives of many, and maybe even find a miracle.
To learn more about living kidney donation, visit the Living Kidney Donor Program: https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Pages/living_kidney_donor.aspx. To apply to be a donor, please fill out the application form which is a 12-page health history here:https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Documents/Living_Donor_Health_History_Form.pdf You must provide proof of blood type, either from your blood donor card, or through a family physician. The form asks my father’s full name (Sriparamananthan Shanmuganathan) and date of birth (July 18, 1959).
The transplant would be at Toronto General Hospital. If someone in another city would like to donate, some of the testing could be done in the potential donor’s hometown. The cost of the donor’s testing, surgery and hospital stay is covered by our healthcare system. Additionally, the Program for Reimbursing Expenses of Living Organ Donors reimburses travel, accommodation and food expenses as well as time off work. Visit:https://www.giftoflife.on.ca/resources/pdf/Post_April_1_2021_PRELOD_Brochure.pdf
If you’d like answers to any questions about living kidney donation, please contact:
Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN
Phone: 416-340-5400
Email: livingorgandonation@UHN.ca
Website: http://www.livingorgandonation.ca
You can ask questions anonymously to learn more about living kidney donation. Communications between a potential living donor and donor team are confidential and not shared with the recipient.
Please share this with anyone you know who might be willing to help. We will need someone brave and generous to give the gift of life.
Thank you so much to anyone who applies and spreads the word. We are all deeply grateful to you.
The Centre for Living Organ Donation was created by UHN Transplant in 2018 to improve access to living organ donation for people who need a life-saving kidney or liver transplant and those who want to give a transformative gift of life.
