“The Gift of Life” is illustrated in one man’s story
May 27, 2024 (Melville, Saskatchewan): In October 1974, a 19-year-old youth from Melville was taken to Saskatoon for a surgery that will alter the course and length of his life.
“I still remember that day,” says Larry Kreklewich. Today as he prepares for both his 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of that transplant operation later this fall, he reflects over his life at that pivotal moment.
“We stopped by my girlfriend’s house on our way out of town to tell her, but she wasn’t home, and we couldn’t wait. We spoke to her mom, we all cried, and I had to leave without saying good-bye to her, not knowing what was going to happen next.
“It was probably the longest three-hour drive of my life.”
His girlfriend at the time is now his wife of 48 years. Thanks to the life-saving transplant he received, he not only got to marry and have a career, but he was also able to see both of his children marry as well.
“Walking my daughter down the aisle at her wedding was a day I was never guaranteed, and 50 years ago, did not believe I would ever do,” he chokes.
Whenever Kreklewich thinks about that day and all the years that have passed since, he becomes emotional. “I got to live a full and happy life,” he says, “because one person signed an organ donor card. I was blessed with a second chance, and I do my best to live each day as fully as I can and serve others along the way. I thank God every day for this beautiful life.”
The Kreklewich family is hosting a Transplant Trot to raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Larry Kreklewich’s second chance at life. The event takes place at Melville Community Works in Melville, Saskatchewan, on June 9, 2024 beginning at 10:00 am.
Registration is available at the event or in advance by visiting www.canadiantransplant.com/events/larrys-50th-kidneyversary
– 30 –
For more information contact:
Larry Kreklewich Bev Kreklewich
306-720-0351 306-728-4017
Backgrounder
In October 1974, just a week before his 20th birthday, young Larry Kreklewich stopped by his girlfriend’s house to break some life-altering news to her.
He had a donor. He was on his way to Saskatoon for his kidney transplant.
Larry was born with weak kidneys, so he had many trips to hospitals throughout his young life. While he maintained his health well in high school, his kidneys shut down soon after graduation and he started dialysis in early 1974. When he got the call that there was a donor that could give him the opportunity to have a normal life, it changed everything. It was thrilling – and terrifying.
The first successful kidney transplant had been performed only 20 years prior, in 1954, so the procedure was still relatively new, particularly in the Canadian prairies. Everyone in the small town of Melville held this young man in their thoughts and prayers as he set out on this new adventure.
And what an adventure – and a life – it turned out to be! While many at the time thought it would be considered a successful surgery after five years, those years passed quickly. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverley, and they began their plans of a family and building a new home.
Then 10 years passed – which made for even more celebration. Larry and Bev were living in their beautiful new home, both with long-term careers established, and they welcomed their son Leland to the family. Sixteen years – their family was complete with daughter Brittany coming into their lives.
Twenty years… thirty… forty… Years filled with love and laughter, campfires and caregiving, happiness and heartache, vacations and volunteering.
At the 45-year mark, Larry & Bev’s “babies” walked down the aisles at their own weddings. At both ceremonies, Larry wept. They were tears of joy, love, and gratitude.
At 20 years old, he had no thought that he would live long enough to be married himself or have enough years to raise a family. Now here he was, seeing both of his children married, full-grown adults with their own successful, happy, and enriched lives.
Thanks to an organ donor, he is living the life of any man’s dreams.
***
It is such an honor to share this day of gratitude for life with you on June 9, only four months out from the anniversary of Larry’s life-granting surgery in 1974. Thank you for coming to be a part of it all, and for celebrating the blessings that have been granted to us for the past 50 years.
Larry & Bev Kreklewich and family