Winnipegger celebrates rare 40th anniversary of kidney transplant

Adrien Perras is one of the rare ones, but his example is hailed as a reason why organ donation is so important.

In 1976, at the age of 20, Perras was experiencing kidney failure and facing an uncertain future. Six weeks after his diagnosis, on May 26, he received a kidney transplant.

RAW: Adrien Perras explains why signing the online donor registry is so important.

9 years ago

Duration 1:04

Adrien Perras received a kidney transplant 40 years ago. He wants everyone to sign their donor card, or sign up online so they can turn someone's tragedy into a gift.

On Thursday in Winnipeg, Perras cut a cake to celebrate the fourth decade since his transplant — 40 years of a healthy and physically active life.

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Only one per cent of kidney transplants have been found to last 40 years or more, according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, which says the average lifespan of a transplanted kidney, the actual organ, is just 25 years.

Wyatt is in stage 3-4 of chronic kidney disease and when he reaches stage 5, he will need to go onto dialysis or get a kidney transplant to save his life, the kidney foundation says.

Thursday's event was used to spread the word about the importance of increasing rates of organ and tissue donation in Manitoba.

According to the foundation, just one per cent of Manitoba's population has signed up for organ and tissue donation through the online donor registry. It's something Perras encourages Manitobans to do.

"You are literally giving life to people: eyes, hearts, kidneys, or lungs. It's so important," he said.