Monday, June 5, 2023

Gift of Life

It’s been a long three years for Local 306 member Josh Prymych, but he has finally received a kidney transplant.

Josh Prymych lives with a condition called autosomal recessive alport syndrome, and his kidneys were working at less than five percent.

“It took less than a year before my kidneys shut down to the point where I was in need of at-home dialysis,” says Josh. “This happened to be right around the same time COVID hit southeast Manitoba.”

During this time, Josh made a career switch to accommodate his illness. He originally worked in construction for Penn-Co Construction Canada Ltd. and was a member of Local 152.

“I had to end my career in construction because it was hard on my body physically, and some days, mentally,” says Josh.

After some time on EI, Josh started working as a custodian for the Hanover School Division in Steinbach, Manitoba.

“I didn’t know that working for Hanover School Division would make me a CLAC member again—this time in Local 306,” says Josh. “That was a funny coincidence.”

Josh spent years on the deceased donor list waiting for a donor with either O-positive or O-negative blood, but the wait time is about 9 to 10 years. Thankfully, Josh didn’t have to wait that long.

Over the Easter long weekend, Josh received a kidney transplant from a beloved family member who had passed.

Josh has a long road to full recovery ahead of him and is currently focusing on his health.

Does his future involve working as a custodian or construction work?

“I’m not sure if construction is something I plan on returning to at this time,” says Josh. “Time will tell.”

For more information on how you can join Canada’s kidney donor list, visit kidney.ca.

Gift of Life

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