Kidney donation highlights close-knit nature of Canada’s curling community

Frielich, 28, is the third for Group Comeau out of New Brunswick. Gagnon, 49, is the lead for Group Lawton out of Quebec.

For years, the 2 have been opponents on the ice – however this previous week they turned lifelong teammates.

Freilich has been battling stage 5 kidney failure for the final couple of years, desperately looking for a donor. This previous Might, his crew took to social media placing out the name for anybody who is likely to be a match and capable of donate a kidney. 

Gagnon answered that decision.

WATCH | Roller donates lifesaving kidney to opponent:

The final word selfless act: Roller Charles Gagnon donates lifesaving kidney to opponent Adam Freilich

The 2 curlers usually compete towards one another in native bonspiels, however when Adam Freilich went into stage 5 kidney failure nearly two years in the past, Charles Gagnon answered the decision. 9:37

On Tuesday, Freilich and Gagnon underwent profitable kidney transplant surgical procedure.

“It looks as if a miracle,” Freilich mentioned from his hospital mattress on CBC Sports activities’ That Curling Present on Friday.

“I am feeling nice. It has been a number of days and the docs are all proud of how issues are going.”

Gagnon, already dwelling and recovering, was additionally a visitor on the present and was beaming as he listened to Freilich.

“Adam has mentioned thanks 1,000,000 instances and I do not know the right way to reply to that as a result of all I can say is it is the appropriate factor to do. It simply felt like the appropriate factor to do,” Gagnon mentioned.

Frielich says when Gagnon initially reached out he was in disbelief that this might really occur.

“I did not fairly imagine him. I believed it was some sick prank at first as a result of it has been two years of family and friends getting examined and coming so shut with nothing figuring out,” Frielich mentioned.

He says in March 2020 he first began noticing signs – itchy pores and skin, fatigue, muscle cramps have been plaguing him. Frielich says he thought it was allergy symptoms. It turned out to be stage 5 kidney failure.

‘A silent illness’

“For kidney illnesses, it is about one in 10 individuals who undergo from it in Canada. So it does have an effect on lots of people,” Freilich mentioned.

“It is really a silent illness. Individuals solely begin getting signs once they’re below 50 per cent functioning.”

He was down to simply 15 per cent.

However Gagnon stepped up.

“One thing Adam will not inform you is he ought to have been in dialysis a very long time in the past. He is been combating exhausting. It was good to have the ability to do one thing for somebody who has such a vibrant future,” Gagnon mentioned.

“Method again once I was going to highschool I used to be working in a warehouse and in case you can imagine it I used to be delivering issues to individuals who have been on dialysis. I noticed first-hand what folks undergo. So to have the ability to put that off and do one thing for Adam was fairly vital to me.”

It was an emotional assembly once they lastly arrived on the hospital to arrange for his or her surgical procedures.

“I ran and gave him a giant hug after we lastly noticed one another on the hospital. It was simply unbelievable that it was really taking place,” Frielich mentioned.

WATCH | That Curling Present:

Lisa Weagle and Brad Gushue break down some controversial rule adjustments proposed by the World Curling Federation

That Curling Present returns for a second season and curlers have opinions concerning the rule adjustments that affect them essentially the most. 1:17:29

Gagnon had spent the final variety of months getting ready for the surgical procedure and getting his well being in peak situation.

“I am a bit of older than Adam; nicely, loads older than Adam,” Gagnon mentioned.

“If I can put one thing constructive on the market, if you wish to name it karma, then nice. It is one thing I may do.”

On Tuesday, Freilich obtained the decision Gagnon’s surgical procedure was profitable and it was his time to go below the knife. He posted a video of himself being wheeled down the hospital hallway in a stretch with household by his aspect and the Rocky theme music taking part in.

“I simply had tears in my eyes,” Freilich mentioned. “The surgeon informed me the very first thing I mentioned once I wakened for surgical procedure was ‘is that this actual?’

“It is actual. I’ve a kidney. After which I mentioned, ‘let’s have a good time and get together.'”

It’s going to be a variety of weeks earlier than the 2 can get again on the ice and resume their curling battles with their groups.

“We have been joking about an occasion in Oakville (Ont.) this weekend and that he ought to come decide me up as a result of he is already out of the hospital,” Frelich mentioned.

“It is a good 5 – 6 weeks earlier than I hit the ice. Charles appears to be like like he is good to go proper now,” Freilich mentioned.

Gagnon’s dream of in the future curling in Canada’s greatest bonspiel is seemingly now with Freilich.

“I figured this was one of the best ways to get part of me to the Brier, finally,” Gagnon mentioned.