November 6, 2024
Since 1975, London Health Sciences Centre’s Multi-Organ Transplant Program has been transforming the lives of patients and families through living kidney donor and transplantation. As we head toward our program’s 50th anniversary of performing life changing living kidney transplants, we are highlighting some of our patient success stories.
Each November, Reuel Valencia and his wife Arlene Trabado Valencia celebrate the anniversary of their organ donation and transplant that took place at London Health Sciences Centre. Since receiving a kidney from Arlene, Reuel’s health has thrived, and together – now 10 years later – the two are enjoying the things they would not have been able to do without the life changing organ transplant.
Embracing their health and a zest for life has meant a lot to the couple over this past decade. Most recently, the pair started playing pickleball together and decided to join a tournament for fun. This past July, they participated in the Pickleball Ontario Championship Series Qualifier held at Tecumseh, Ontario in their mixed doubles age division and ended up winning a bronze medal. They then qualified for the Provincial Championship Series which was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this past August. Competing against players from all over Ontario, Reuel and Arlene placed second overall and brought home the silver medal!
“My wife and I are grateful to the staff and physicians of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program for their part in such an amazing life journey,” says Reuel. “November 5 is a special day for us each year, and we are always thankful we get to continue to enjoy life together.”
The introduction of living kidney donation and transplantation has had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of patients and families across the country. For patients who have end-stage kidney disease and are eligible for a kidney transplant, a kidney from a living donor is the best treatment, as recipients from living donors enjoy better success rates compared with patients who receive a deceased donor kidney. More information about living kidney donation is available on our website.