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Local Kidney Foundation ambassador looks to drum up support for online fundraiser

Kidney transplant recipient Cody McClelland wants the Sault to take up the #SixDegreeChallenge on social media March 1-11
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Saultite Cody McClelland is this year's ambassador for the Six Degree Challenge, the Kidney Foundation's annual online fundraising campaign.

Cody McClelland is challenging the public to share their connection to kidney disease through the #SixDegreeChallenge. 

The Saultite is this year’s local ambassador for the Kidney Foundation’s online campaign, which encourages Ontarians to hold up six fingers in a social media photo, then tagging and challenging six friends to do the same. The annual fundraising campaign, now in its third year, officially kicks off March 1. 

McClelland says he’s been involved with the Kidney Foundation since he was 14 months old, when he was first diagnosed with posterior urethral valves, described by the organization as a rare, congenital condition that can obstruct the urinary tract, which can result in damage to the kidneys. 

McClelland was the recipient of a successful kidney transplant a decade ago, when he was 18 years old. His father was the donor. 

“I’ve always been involved, my family’s always been involved. We’ve been doing the local walks. It’s really just anything I can do to get the voice out for the people that really don’t have the voice,” said McClelland, speaking with SooToday Friday. “Kidney disease is such a silent disease, you can really lose up to 50 per cent of your functions without even noticing that you’re ill.”

“I’m just going through that successfully. I want to try and give back to those people who are going into it - because I know going into such a disease, it’s terrifying if you don’t have the right information.”

McClelland says he’s been going strong since his kidney transplant, with no 'hiccups' to speak of. But he also knows people that have had transplants that didn’t take right away, or people that have lost their kidney a few years after receiving a transplant.  

“You never know with the situation, but day by day you take your medication, you monitor your health and really, just try to be in tune with your body,” he said. “I really have nothing to complain about.”

One in 10 Canadians live with kidney disease. In Ontario alone, 12,000 people living with advanced chronic kidney disease require dialysis.

“Despite being vital organs, kidneys are all too often overlooked or ignored as part of our overall health,” said Craig Kerr, president of The Kidney Foundation’s Ontario branch via news release. “That is, until you or someone you love is affected.”

McClelland tells SooToday that he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to be a local ambassador for this year’s campaign because in his mind, he’s one of the lucky ones. He says that he missed having to undergo regular dialysis by a week.

“Through sharing stories - like my story, and the other challengers - we can share how kidney disease impacts families all over the place,” said McClelland. “Even if you aren’t really impacted by it, it shows how many people around you are really impacted, because it is that silent disease.”

The Kidney Foundation is also looking for donations from the public in order to fund programs and services. The organization will use March 11 – also known as World Kidney Day -– to host a 24-hour day of giving. Donations can be made online here or by calling 1-800-387-4474.


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James Hopkin

About the Author: James Hopkin

James Hopkin is a reporter for SooToday in Sault Ste. Marie
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