I was nine years old when my dad, Cory Fortin, told us he had a diagnosis of end-stage kidney failure.
As a kid, you never want to hear that about your dad.
He’s supposed to be your hero, your role model.
But now, he needed to be mine.
I watched him fight through his illness for years. He had several surgeries and was on dialysis from 2017 to 2021.
I knew he needed a kidney transplant to survive, but he never wanted to make his health issues public.
He didn’t want to be viewed as “the sick guy.”
But in 2020, when he was in the last stages of kidney failure, we couldn’t keep it to ourselves any longer.
I knew I had to do everything I could to help.
Finding a way to help
At that point, I was a sophomore at Bemidji State and a member of the women’s hockey team.
I knew I had a platform to spread awareness for organ donation, and I wasn’t going to let it go to waste.
I started the “Kidney for Cory” campaign in my hometown of Thunder Bay.
I was blown away by how much support my dad and our family received.
It was a real eye-opener for me to see how much of an impact the community can have when they come together to support a cause.
In June of 2021, my dad received a life-saving kidney transplant from a deceased donor.
I’ll never forget when he woke us up at 3 a.m. to tell us he was going to Toronto for the transplant.
It was a surreal experience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when Ontario was in lockdown.
But it was also a moment of hope and gratitude.
Without organ donors, my dad wouldn’t be here today.
It’s a sobering thought, but it’s also a reminder of the power of organ donation.
Spreading awareness
Since my dad’s transplant, he’s been doing better than I’ve ever seen him.
He has more energy, and he’s full of love and support for our family.
It’s a testament to the power of organ donation and the strength of the human spirit.
For the past three years, I’ve organized an organ donation awareness weekend at Bemidji State.
The event has grown each year, and I’m so grateful for the support of my teammates, coaches, and the community.
It’s not just about my dad’s story.
It’s about raising awareness for all the families and individuals who are affected by organ donation.
As a nursing student, I’ve learned more about the organ donation process and how specific it is. It’s an amazing process that saves countless lives.
My goal is to continue spreading awareness and making an impact on families and donors.
I want to leave Bemidji State better than I found it in terms of raising awareness for organ donation.
A continued effort
I’m also inspired by my friend and fellow student-athlete, Donte Lawson, whose little brother, Dom, also received a kidney transplant.
Watching Dom and my dad interact is a miracle.
They are two people who wouldn’t be here without organ donors.
It’s a life-changing effect that I want to continue to spread awareness for.
I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my teammates, coaches, and the community in raising awareness for organ donation.
The organ donation awareness weekend at Bemidji State has become a tradition, and I hope it continues to grow and make a difference.
It’s not just about my dad’s story or Dom’s story; it’s about all the families and individuals who are affected by organ donation.
Organ donation is not just about saving one person’s life; it’s about rejuvenating a family.
When someone is sick, it puts a strain on the entire family.
Seeing them revive with a transplant not only saves their life, but it also saves the lives of their family members.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my platform as a student-athlete and nursing student to spread awareness for organ donation.
It’s a cause that’s close to my heart, and I’ll continue to fight for it as long as I can.
I’m forever grateful to the donors and the community for helping me share my story and make a difference in the world.