PRINCE GEORGE – Since 2015, a mother of five has been battling Type 4 Chronic Kidney Disease.
Trina Nooski’s health is now at a state where he is in dire need of a new kidney.
“If I don’t get a donor soon, we’re talking about hemodialysis – one that I can do from home so I can be with my kids because the dialysis I’m doing now takes about four hours three times a week,” she explained
Just last year, Trina received news that would change things for both her and her family – she was pregnant. However, due to her health concerns, Trina was advised to not keep the baby as going through with the pregnancy would add extra stress to her body. Around the same time, she was also placed on dialysis.
Despite the pain and stress, Trina went through with the pregnancy and on September 28, 2019, Easton Nooski was brought into the world. Despite being born weighing a mere five pounds, he’s now a thriving energetic health boy. During the pregnancy, however, the function of Trina’s kidneys went from 12 per cent down to six per cent.
Having health concerns of her own and therefore not being able to be a donor herself, her mother feels helpless.
“I just want Trina to live a normal happy life so she can see her kids graduate and live lives of their own and be there for them,” said Alberta Charlie, Trina’s mother.
Trina’s mother is active on social media asking for help, hoping anyone will be able to donate a kidney.
In addition to Easton, Trina is a mother to a nine, 12, 13 and 19-year-old.
Prior to her pregnancy, Trina had a donor lined up. Her cousin, Alberta Alec, had gone through the rigorous and thorough testing required to be matched and accompanied her to Vancouver. However, in a rare occurrence, Trina’s blood type changed during pregnancy making Alberta’s kidney no longer acceptable. Trina’s case was so extraordinary, med students were brought to her room regularly to ask questions.
On how she felt when she found out her kidney was no longer a match, Alberta said it was an upsetting moment.
“Very disappointed because I really wanted to do this for Trina. Knowing the fact that I could have actually done something to help her,” an emotional Alberta explained. “I’m really hoping that other people will step forward and will go and at least get tested. I mean, it is a big thing but seeing her with her children, her family, her husband, and her mom and dad, I would love for people to come and at least try.”
If you would like to learn more about the process of becoming a living donor and see if you are a match for donating a kidney, you can visit the Transplant BC website.
You can also contact living donor programs in BC:
Vancouver General Hospital Living Donor Program – Kidney
604-875-5182 or 1-855-875-5182
OR
St. Paul’s Hospital Living Donor Program – Kidney
604-806-9027 or 1-877-922-9822
