Gary was just 20 when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes—a condition that ran in his family. For decades, he managed it carefully with daily insulin injections. As an ER nurse, Gary spent his career caring for others, never imagining that one day he would be the patient fighting for his life.
By 2017, at only 47 years old, Gary was diagnosed with end‑stage kidney failure. It was a devastating blow. He began peritoneal dialysis and, for a couple of years, was able to maintain a sense of normalcy—he even continued travelling. But by 2019, the dialysis began to fail. He switched to hemodialysis, which was hard, exhausting, and consuming.
It affected the rhythm of Gary’s life and the lives of those who loved him—especially his wife, Florence. Despite being afraid of blood, Florence became his anchor. She spent four months training in the hospital so she could administer his needle safely at home. She never missed a dose. She became his private nurse, his advocate, and his constant strength.
Their entire family felt the weight of the journey. There were sleepless nights and the constant fear of what might happen next. While on the transplant wait list, hope and anxiety collided every time the phone rang.
In 2021, Gary received his kidney transplant—a gift that would change everything. He woke up after surgery and felt strong enough to walk. It was the beginning of a new life. But just as things were looking up, Gary suffered a heart attack. It was another terrifying setback, but he’s certain that he survived because his transplant gave him the strength and the chance to keep fighting.
Today, Gary is thriving and even traveling—something he never thought he would do again. Most importantly, he gets to spend more time with his family. He appreciates moments he used to take for granted, even something as simple as renewing his driver’s licence.
“Life is so precious,” he says. “I don’t waste any time now. This new kidney gave us all a second life—a life without fear, a life we can enjoy together.”
Florence shares that gratitude deeply. “I wouldn’t be here smiling today if someone hadn’t given a piece of themselves. Our whole family is forever grateful. And eventually, we will do the same for someone else.”
Gary is so thankful for the generous people who choose to give the gift of life. “I can’t believe how many people can be helped by just one donor,” he shared. “My culture doesn’t talk about death—we avoid it. But we need to talk about it. We need more people to understand how much good can come from registering.”
“Registering to become an organ and tissue donor isn’t just a simple task. It’s a chance to save someone’s life…like someone saved mine.”
When asked what message he’d like to share with others, he said:
“Open your heart and register today. Imagine how many lives you can touch when yours is over. The gift of life is the only gift you can give after you’re gone.”