Vivian Griffith comforts her ailing son Timothy who has been waiting for a kidney for six years. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
A mother’s desperate plea for help is all she has left to save her son in Oliver.
Vivian Griffith is asking potential kidney donors to come forward to help renew the life of her ailing son Timothy.
She has even resorted to placing an advertisement in the Oliver Chronicle in hopes that someone will come to the rescue.
“I can’t lose him, I love him so much,” Vivian said, looking at her 50-year-old son huddled in a blanket on the couch.
She produced a family photograph of two healthy looking sons, a smiling Timothy next to his brother Darcy.
She recalled a time when Timothy was as strong as an ox. He worked for a sawmill for 18 years and later began a career as a tow truck driver.
In 1988 he suddenly contracted lupus, an auto-immune disease, which destroyed his kidneys, resulting in mandatory dialysis treatment (filtering toxins from the blood).
“He was a good worker . . . then he lost his strength to the point he couldn’t lift the chains (on the tow truck) anymore,” Vivian said.
Timothy must undergo dialysis treatment in hospital three times a week.
“I hate needles,” he said in a weak voice.
Timothy has been on the kidney donor wait list for six years.
“I would give him my kidney, but I have kidney problems too,” Vivian said.
She noted that Timothy’s friends were going to donate, but one changed his mind, another suffered a car accident, and another died in his sleep.
“It’s very difficult when you love your kids . . . it has been hell,” Vivian said.
But she pointed out the one shining light is a program where if a donor comes forward for Timothy, and the kidney isn’t a successful match, but it matches another patient, Timothy will be practically next in line for a kidney.
“I’m trying to remain positive. I’m hoping something makes me better,” Timothy said.
Vivian is hoping to find a man who was recently in South Okanagan General Hospital for blood work. Her girlfriend overheard him telling another individual that he wanted to donate a kidney. Vivian was unable to find out who the man was, but is desperate to track him down. She hopes the man will call her at 250-498-3340.
Terry Craig, founder of “Share Your Spare” in Osoyoos, invited Vivian and Timothy to participate in the kidney donor support group.
Craig donated a kidney to his wife a few years ago and continues to raise awareness about the organ donor program.
Craig said the Oliver area ranks high in cadaver donor registration, noting the provincial average is 19 per cent, while the percentage in Oliver is over 30. In fact, there is a good chance of getting a better match with a cadaver donor, he pointed out.
In the meantime, Timothy has to keep waiting. He has B negative blood, which is considered a rare blood type.
He dreams of working on his ’87 Mustang, which he used to race at Richter Pass Motorplex in Osoyoos.
Talking about hot rods and racing gives Timothy renewed vigor, something he wishes he could feel on a regular basis.
