Winnipegger celebrates rare 40th anniversary of kidney transplant

AdrienPerras is one of the rare ones, but his example is hailed as a reason why organ donation is so important.

In1976, at the age of 20,Perraswas experiencing kidneyfailure and facing an uncertain future.Six weeks after his diagnosis, on May 26,hereceived a kidney transplant.

RAW: Adrien Perras explains why signing the online donor registry is so important.

8 years ago

Duration 1:04

Adrien Perras received a kidney transplant 40 years ago. He wants everyone to sign their donor card, or sign up online so they can turn someone's tragedy into a gift.

On Thursday in Winnipeg, Perrascut a cake tocelebrate the fourth decade since his transplant 40 years ofa healthy and physically active life.

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Only one per cent of kidney transplants have been found to last 40 years or more, according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, which saysthe averagelifespanof a transplanted kidney, the actual organ,is just 25 years.

Wyatt is in stage 3-4 of chronic kidney disease and when hereaches stage 5, he will need to go onto dialysis or get a kidney transplant to save his life, the kidney foundation says.

Thursday's event was used tospread the word about the importance of increasing rates of organ and tissue donation in Manitoba.

According to the foundation, just one per cent of Manitoba's population hassigned up for organ and tissue donation through theonline donor registry. It's somethingPerrasencouragesManitobansto do.

"You are literally giving life to people: eyes, hearts, kidneys, or lungs. It's so important," he said.