Alberta Advocate Pushes for Early Kidney Disease Testing

An advocate in Alberta is calling for early testing of chronic kidney disease as mortality rates rise across Canada. Sean Delaney, who has battled kidney issues since birth, emphasizes that access to timely testing and information saved his life. His journey began in Red Deer, where he lost his left kidney at just three months old. By the age of 27, Delaney faced kidney failure in his remaining kidney, leading to a life-saving transplant from his younger brother, Peter Delaney.

“It was a huge change,” Delaney reflected. “It allowed me to see my daughters go through their schooling, finish a master’s degree, and travel without limitations.” Although transplant recipients must manage a regimen of immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection, Delaney noted that these challenges pale compared to his pre-transplant health struggles.

Unfortunately, Delaney’s first transplant failed in 2017, resulting in over a year of dialysis. A turning point came in 2020 when a woman named Brenda, inspired by his story, stepped forward to become his second living donor.

Delaney described the insidious nature of chronic kidney disease, stating, “For the most part, you don’t even know you have a problem until you’re down to 20 percent kidney function.” Having lived with kidney disease his entire life, he developed a keen awareness of the symptoms when his transplant failed, including fatigue and a metallic taste in his mouth.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada has labeled chronic kidney disease an “invisible killer” due to its rising mortality rate. According to Marcello Tonelli, a medical professor at the University of Calgary, the mortality rate associated with chronic kidney disease in Canada has surged by 70 percent since 1990. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet estimates that one in ten Canadians currently lives with chronic kidney disease.

Tonelli pointed out a critical issue: “What this tells us is that people who have kidney disease already, we’re failing them. We’re not detecting them in time.”

The Kidney Foundation advocates for simple blood or urine tests that can identify warning signs early, potentially contributing to a national framework for early detection. Carrie Thibodeau from the foundation highlighted various factors contributing to the rising mortality rates, including an aging population and related diseases like diabetes and hypertension. She stressed the importance of early intervention, stating, “If we diagnose people earlier and intervene earlier, we can prevent individuals from ever needing dialysis or a transplant.”

Currently aged 54, Delaney understands the significance of timely diagnosis. He recently completed a hiking expedition through parts of Portugal and Spain, covering nearly 200 kilometers. His first message upon completion was to Brenda, saying, “We made it.”

Delaney’s story illustrates the profound impact of kidney disease and the urgent need for early detection measures. He hopes to inspire others to recognize that “life is limited” and emphasizes the value of awareness and action in managing health.

With contributions from CTV News National’s Kathy Le and Darcy Seaton, and Gates Guarin, this story encapsulates the personal and broader implications of chronic kidney disease in Canada.