When Calgary, AB Local 255 member Nick Clayson, a mechanic for the Calgary Fire Department, received an email about Kidneys for Communities in April 2024, he had no idea it would change his life.
“Just over two years ago, a good friend of mine passed away from renal failure,” said Clayson. “I always regretted that I never did the research or explored the possibility of being a donor for him. I made a promise to myself that if the call ever came again, I would answer it.”
That call came and Clayson answered. “Within an hour of submitting the application, I received a phone call. They sent me a test kit right away,” he said.
Following a thorough evaluation at the University of Michigan and approval from a 16-member transplant team, Clayson underwent surgery on Dec. 4, 2024. His kidney was flown to San Diego, California, where it was successfully transplanted and began functioning right away.
I made a promise to myself that if the call ever came again, I would answer it.
calgary, ab local 255 member Nick Clayson
“During recovery, I had the privilege of sharing my experience in Washington, D.C., where I met members of the National Advisory Committee and board members of Kidneys for Communities,” he said. “I was also honored to meet General President Edward Kelly and [former U.S. Fire Administrator] Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell at the Congressional Fire Services Institute banquet.”
Clayson later learned he was the first Canadian to donate a kidney to a U.S. recipient through Kidneys for Communities. “In a time of political division, I feel like this is a small act of goodwill from Canada to the U.S.,” he said. “It was about humanity.”
“Without hesitation, Nick said ‘yes’ to giving someone else the gift of life,” said General President Edward Kelly. “It’s an extraordinary act of selflessness that reaches far beyond the recipient – it makes a difference for every friend and family member who loves them.”
Atul Agnihotri, founder of Kidneys for Communities, knows firsthand how life-changing kidney donation can be. His life took an unexpected turn in 2015 when he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He received a transplant within three months of his diagnosis.
“I was able to receive a transplant, which I didn’t realize at that time how lucky I was,” he said.
It’s an extraordinary act of selflessness that reaches far beyond the recipient – it makes a difference for every friend and family member who loves them.
general president edward kelly
As Agnihotri connected with others awaiting transplants, he was struck by the long wait in the United States, which is typically four to six years for a deceased donor. About 100,000 people in the U.S. currently need a kidney transplant. Most living donor transplants come from family or close friends, making up about 80% of such donations. According to Kidneys for Communities, altruistic donations from strangers are rare, making up only about 3% each year.
An estimated 11,000 first responders suffer from end-stage kidney disease, many urgently needing a transplant. To address this need, Kidneys for First Responders raises awareness within the first responder community and promotes living organ donation as a way to save lives. The organization is also working with the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) to support surviving family members.
Clayson continues to advocate for living donation. “There’s a stigma around donation. People think it’s life-altering in a negative way, but for me, it was 10 weeks off work, then back to full duty. No major life changes. Just the knowledge that I helped save lives,” he said.
Agnihotri added, “The risks are low, and the impact is enormous.”
“Organ donation saves lives,” said Kelly. “It’s one more way IAFF members make a difference for those who need it most.”
The IAFF has worked with the Billy Moon Foundation to raise awareness about organ donation. Billy, a 21-year member of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York Local 94, died in a training accident in December 2022. His liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys were donated to five recipients, including two retired FDNY members. To honor his legacy and inspire others, his wife, Kristina, established the Billy Moon Foundation to promote awareness and increase organ donation. Learn more at billymoonfoundation.org.
