He has made a career out of helping 'Caps fans but when it was his turn to ask for help, he kept to himself for a long time.
Allen Leung, who serves as Manager, Ticket Operations for Whitecaps FC, is in need of a kidney transplant and is in search for a living donor.
Many Vancouver fans would recognize him from the Ticketmaster Box Office at BC Place and Rogers Arena, where he's quick to help 'Caps, Lions, and Canucks fans alike on game days, and always with a smile on his face.
After discovering he was suffering from kidney failure over three years ago, he tried to combat it alone with his family. It was only recently Leung decided to share the fight he has been battling everyday.
"After doing my best to make changes in my life and diet to help delay the need for this procedure, my kidney’s ability to work for my body had reached a point where it could no longer help me on its own, and I began peritoneal kidney dialysis earlier this year. This procedure is done every day," wrote Leung in a Facebook post.
"The last few months have been difficult for everyone with various global events affecting our entire human race which has allowed me to realize that life is short. I’ve realized it’s okay to ask for help," wrote Leung. "Part of me had given up and I feel embarrassed. This is the struggle I’ve been suffering along with my disease but I now understand that I need help. Asking someone to consider being a donor for me is a weird ask and I don’t feel comfortable in asking and I still don’t know if I’m doing this the right way but here it goes. I need your help."
Leung's family at home - his wife Melodie also works for Ticketmaster, and his son Trevor was a poster boy for the Hoop jersey campaign - as well as his family at Whitecaps FC are hoping that spreading the word fast-tracks the search for a match.
"Although I am on the waitlist for a kidney donor, the wait for one is an estimate and it could take an infinite number of years to find a match. This is why I need your help," wrote Leung.
Thinking of becoming a living kidney donor?
All living donation is managed through the appropriate programs at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) Pre-Assessment Transplant Clinics.
The referral process includes pre-screening, laboratory and diagnostic testing, and evaluation by the transplant teams. If you have questions about becoming a living donor or about the process, please contact the programs directly.
Please notify the transplant team that you are donating to Allen Leung.
Vancouver General Hospital Living Donor Program - Kidney
Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre
Level 5, 2775 Laurel Street
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
604.875.5182 or 1.855.875.5182
kidneydonornurse@vch.ca
Visit http://www.transplant.bc.ca/health-info/organ-donation/living-donation for more information.
