Kidney transplant comes as firefighter planned for death

An Ottawa firefighter has spent the last six-plus years in fear of losing his life.

Not from injuries suffered in an explosive blaze or work-related mishap, but in a painful roller coaster ride waiting for a new kidney.

Craig Dunbar, 41, will enter hospital Wednesday as he is set to undergo his second kidney transplant on Thursday.

Dunbar, whose body rejected a new kidney from an earlier transplant, has spent 40 hoursa week on kidney dialysis. Over time, his body has weakened, so he usedsocial media to reach out for possible donors.

Even after his family started a campaignwith his own website, plus accounts Facebook andTwitter, Dunbar'shopes had dwindled.

Im potentially making end-of-life plans, Dunbar said, recalling his thought process mere months ago, And then I find out that, not only do we find a potential match, but its somebody I know.

Boss's wife steps forward

That somebody was Ann Gervais of Napanee, Ont., who is married to Dunbars supervisor. Gervais heard about Dunbars campaign not through social media but on TV news.

Gervais remembered Craig saying he wouldnt live unless someone stepped up to the plate, so she felt an overwhelming urge to do just that.

Now Gervais faces a four-hour operation to remove her kidney, followed by four days in hospital.

Im not at all nervous, its the right thing to do, she said.

Dunbar, a native of the west Ottawa suburb of Carp, is relieved, excited and very appreciative Gervaiss kidney is a match.

I can never put into words how much I appreciate what Ann is doing and, you know, I'm going to make sure I look after this kidney, Dunbar said.

As of Tuesday, 1,046 people were waiting for a kidney transplant across Ontario, according to Ontarios Trillium Gift of Life Network.

That is twice the number of people waiting for other types of organ transplants combined.

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