Jean-Christophe Nicolas
Athlete and kidney transplant patient

I was as young as 11 months old when I was diagnosed with renal insufficiency. Back then, of course, I could not even imagine the extent of the battle I would wage all my life.

A smiling and active young boy, I would attract the red lipstick of my aunties and few would suspect that I spent many days every year in hospitals.

As soon as I was five years of age, sports occupied a great place in my life. Soccer was my favourite sport, but from high school and on, badminton, athletics, table tennis and several other physical activities took most of my time. To me, practicing sports meant freedom, one of the few instances where I could stop thinking about my health problems.

Thanks to the cares and efforts of the medical staff, I started haemodialysis treatment in 1994 only. I was starting high school and already my life, be it in terms of social, family, sports or scholar, was completely shaken to its core by my thrice-weekly treatments. Then, on the 21st of June 1995, right in the middle of my final exam in geography, my life was once more turned upside down: a kidney was waiting for me at the CHU Ste-Justine. Thanks to that first transplantation, I had the chance of enjoying an almost normal time in high school, surrounded by precious friends and an amazing family. I also had the opportunity to make it through my teens while practicing various sports, which allowed me to let off the steam.

Unfortunately, the transplantation did not produce the desired results: in September 1998, aged 17, I was back in hospital for haemodialysis treatments. This coming back also meant the end to nearly every of my favourite physical activities. Still, there was hope: with my parents, we were working hard to check if one of them was compatible. After several months of analysis and talking, the final decision was made: the transplantation of my father’s kidney would take place on the 22nd of October 1999.

It was then that I decided to get a hold of myself: this time, I took control and for good. Physical activity on a regular basis, a healthy nutrition, rest and a rate of alcohol consumption close to zero, all of it allow me today to be in terrific shape.

It was at the 10th celebration of my transplantation, last October that I decided to participate to the Canadian Transplant Games in Quebec City. I want to show that organ donation is beyond an ordinary donation. On top of changing my life, it improves the lives of people around me; family, friends, team mates and colleagues can benefit from it.

On October 22nd 1999, my dad granted me life once again. Today, it is my turn to become a father. On the 9th of August, when watching the opening ceremony of the Canadian Transplant Games, I will have given life as well…

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