As a volunteer for Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR), Michael Coyle is quite literally, a lifesaver. However, due to a rare genetic kidney disease known as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Michael’s kidneys began growing cysts, and suddenly he was the one who needed saving.
In the spring of 2019, the situation became dire, as Michael discovered his kidney function was declining to what could eventually become kidney failure. Michael needed a new kidney as soon as possible, otherwise he would require dialysis treatments and would have to contend with consistent fatigue, which would undoubtedly compromise both his lifestyle and ability to do his job.
Michael’s doctors and nurses urged him to seek a kidney donor on his own so they could speed up the process and begin testing to determine a true match. To help spread the word, Michael shared details of his health condition during a 2018 SAR Holiday Party, and a few months later in 2019, he went public with his appeal. More than 20 people came forward from different corners of Canada, but, as it would happen, his true organ donor match was already in his community – someone who he had known for 20 years.
Michael Coyle with his son Eamon Fuller and their dog Curie.
Enter Jody Seki, whose husband, Don Seki, is also part of the Coquitlam SAR, and a friend of Paul Pineau, service manager at Morrey Nissan of Burnaby. Jody was in attendance at the 2018 Christmas party, and coincidentally, was one of the 20 people who volunteered to be a kidney donor, but this was unbeknownst to Michael.
"When I first heard about Mike's PKD, which he did not openly discuss, at least not with me, and how it was not curable, it broke my heart. He has always been such a devoted SAR team member, and later, a team leader. I wished him to get better, but over time, I noticed he wasn't his usual energetic self. I thought to myself, ‘why can’t I help him?’ I knew it was going to be a long process, but that’s okay. I had just retired, I have all the time in the world, and so we started the testing process," said Jody.
Jody discreetly went through all of the tests needed after learning she was the right blood type. Test after test, Jody kept getting the green light, until it was finally determined in the fall off 2019, she was a true donor match for Michael. When looking back to when Michael was informed of the good news, he remembers it as "a day I’ll never forget."
With that, Michael was given a tentative date for surgery to take place in March of 2020, but Michael wasn’t ready for the procedure, so for the date was pushed back to May. However, with the rise of COVID-19 cases, the surgery was postponed again, for the summer of 2020, and to the relief of friends and loved ones for both, it was a success!
Although they weren’t allowed visitors after the operation, Michael and Jody were able to see and talk to each other everyday at the hospital from a safe physical distance. The pair would take distanced walks through the hospital together to promote blood flow and faster recovery time.
"COVID-19 was a huge concern for everyone, but I was a bit euphoric over the possibility of helping so I can't say anything negative about being alone in the hospital, or not having visitors. Mike was in the next room and doing okay, so that was what I was focused on," said Jody.
Michael Coyle with his partner Sylvia Fuller and their son Eamon.
"It's hard to explain what a huge difference this has made to my life. Technically, my kidneys have been failing for 20 years, so the decline in my health has been slow enough that I barely noticed it sometimes – until right near the end when it became critical," said Michael. "After the transplant, I felt better almost immediately, and it has made a huge difference in every part of my life. Suddenly, now I have the energy to do more housework, walk the dog, and I even feel smarter because I'm not tired all the time."
"I'll always be grateful to Jody for this gift. I am so glad she's part of the SAR family and now my family as well," concluded Michael.
Thank you to Paul at Morrey Nissan in Burnaby for nominating Jody (Rogue owner) as a Nissan Hometown Hero, and for the opportunity to recognize Michael (also a Rogue owner), who continues to live as an everyday Hometown Hero in his community.