'It's a gift': Corner Brook mother and son reflect on kidney transplant, 25 years later

A mother and son in Corner Brook celebrating a special anniversary this month say its a good moment to encourage more people to become an organ donor.

Aug. 19 marked 25 years since Jonathan Snow received a kidney transplant in 1991, donated from his mother Kathleen Snow when he was just 20 years old.

Looking back, he said he may not have grasped the full significance of what his mother was doing for him.

"I think you just assume when you're young, and your Mom is just going to do whatever she needs for you. Looking back now, it's something that I greatly appreciate," he said, adding the only thing that still stands out from the day of his transplant all those years ago was a wish to show his gratitude to his mother.

"What I remember is, when I came out [of surgery], I said to my Dad, 'Could you buy some flowers to thank her?'"

Sicker than he knew

It was only by coincidence that Snow found out about his kidney troubles, after some routine bloodwork while applying to university — tests that came back indicating his kidneys weren't functioning properly.

Snow did go to university, but his kidney function kept declining, to the point where he was told he needed dialysis after his second year of studies. But Snow still didn't accept how serious his health condition was.

"At the time, I didn't think I was that sick," he said.

His family didn't grasp it either.

"I think he was a lot sicker than we actually realized, or than I actually realized, because he was functioning. It's just that he wasn't functioning well," said Kathleen Snow.

In the summer of 1991, Snow was constantly tired. But he continued to play baseball, although he can remember the turning point when he realized he was seriously ill: on the diamond, after he hit a double down the right field line.

"I slid into second, and I was totally exhausted, and I couldn't believe it. And I remember thinking, 'I can't believe how sick I am'," he recalled.

Making a match

When Jonathan's kidneys reached the point of him requiring either dialysis or a transplant as soon as possible, his family immediately started the process of being tested to see if someone was a match to donate a kidney.

That revealed both Jonathan's mother and sister were a match. But his sister Lisa was still in her 20s and had not yet had children, so it was decided Kathleen would risk undergoing the surgery and give a kidney, a donation she said she never questioned. 

Despite some initial setbacks, the surgery was a success — but the Snows realize how lucky they were to have matched within their family, and want to emphasize the importance of being an organ donor.

It's important for families, even though everybody's in good health, to talk about donating.- Kathleen Snow

"I think it's important for families, even though everybody's in good health, to talk about donating, if it becomes a possibility in the future," said Kathleen.

"So often, it happens when there's been a death in a family, and people are distraught, they're upset, they're full of grief. But this is something that can be done to help others. And, the recipient, their life is changed. They have a life."

'It's a gift'

For Jonathan, getting back to normal life included a return to university and becoming a teacher.

"It's made my life totally different. I've been very fortunate that I never went on dialysis," he said.

Snow has also continued his love of athletics, as a coach in the minor baseball program in Corner Brook, and also as a school basketball coach.

"When I coach, because of what's happened to me, I appreciate all kids and all athletes who attempt to play sports, because you don't know what they've gone through so, if you have that in the back of your mind, that helps."

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And Kathleen has no regrets for the sacrifice she made for her son.

"It's a gift. Everyday is a gift. I have a son that's active, that's a tremendous person, and that's what it's all about."