DJ Prosper, a resident of the Ottawa Senators, is in critical need of a kidney transplant. His family is in need of assistance as they face a difficult future.
Prosper is renowned for energizing Senators gamegoers. Now, he is battling for his life.
When he checked into the hospital, he discovered that his kidneys were completely failing.
The father of three will soon be receiving dialysis more frequently than the existing three times per week.
“I need to be on dialysis right now, and it will lead to the need for a kidney transplant so that I can live,” he stated.
Melissa Laguerre, his wife, stated that the timing couldn’t have been more dire for their family.
It’s difficult for the children. It’s difficult for our two older kids,” she remarked. One week before to his kidney failure, we lost our jobs. Everything suddenly began to come at us at once.
How they will provide for their family during this medical crisis is currently their top concern.
To support the family during this trying time, friends created a GoFundMe page.
“My wife and I are wondering how we’re going to change course. We’ve got kids. So, you know, just that was adding a lot of stress into my life,” Prosper said.
Over 9,000 people in Ontario currently live with a functional kidney transplant.
The Ottawa Hospital has a creative approach to expedite the testing process for possible living donors, according to Craig Lindsay, director of programs and public policy for the Kidney Foundation of Ontario.
Lindsay stated, “They try to get all that testing done in one day for a potential living donor, which certainly helps move things forward.” In the end, both the living donor team and the transplant team declare that it is safe to proceed. At that moment, they begin to consider scheduling the operating room.
Prosper is still cheerful despite his illness, but he urgently needs a kidney transplant as soon as possible.
“The earlier the better it is, in order to fix this issue. Because, in the long term, I could have high risk for, you know, cardiac arrest, all kinds of issues,” he said.
Laguerre said finding a donor means saving more than just one life.
“It’s a big request, but you’re not just saving his life. You’re saving a family,” she said. “Our kids, they adore him. And I know it’s a big step, and it’s a big request. And we just pray that the right person comes forward that could be a match.”
Visit The Ottawa Hospital’s Living Kidney Donation website if you are interested in being a living donor.
