Mrs. Canada to donate kidney to Spirit of the West drummer
THE CANADIAN PRESS
First posted: Saturday, July 25, 2015 12:37 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 25, 2015 02:06 PM EDT
CALGARY -- Mrs. Canada is hoping to help out her friend, the drummer for Spirit of the West, by donating him a kidney.
Vince Ditrich, 52, has been undergoing dialysis several days each week since he was diagnosed with kidney failure two years ago.
Calgarian Angie Shilliday, who won the title of Mrs. Canada last year, is close to being approved as Ditrich's kidney donor.
Ditrich has played for acts such as Long John Baldry, Great Big Sea and Doug and the Slugs, but has been with Spirit of the West since 1989, also becoming the band's manager in 2001.
The band also announced last year that lead singer John Mann, 52, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Ditrich and Shilliday have been friends for more than 20 years, after she married his childhood friend.
"It's like she's given me a boost because my battery died," Ditrich said. "Nothing clears the mind like a death sentence."
She first thought of becoming a candidate in March, when she called Ditrich and noticed his mood was different than usual. After learning of his situation, Shilliday asked for more information about being a donor.
At first, Ditrich refused. But Shilliday continued doing research and getting tests. Now, after months of examination, Shilliday may get the green light within the next couple of weeks.
"I am ecstatic. It's been a long road and finally it's here," said Shilliday. "I just can't wait for him to be healthy and back on his feet."
She said she never had a doubt about her decision to donate.
"I was born with two healthy kidneys, he wasn't. Friends share!" she said.
Spirit of the West Drummer Vince Ditrich performs before a crowd of about 5,000 on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, during a Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park in Peterborough, Ont. (Rob McCormick/Postmedia Network File Photo)
Mrs. Canada to donate kidney to Spirit of the West drummer | Canada | News | Tor
THE CANADIAN PRESS
First posted: Saturday, July 25, 2015 12:37 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 25, 2015 02:06 PM EDT
CALGARY -- Mrs. Canada is hoping to help out her friend, the drummer for Spirit of the West, by donating him a kidney.
Vince Ditrich, 52, has been undergoing dialysis several days each week since he was diagnosed with kidney failure two years ago.
Calgarian Angie Shilliday, who won the title of Mrs. Canada last year, is close to being approved as Ditrich's kidney donor.
Ditrich has played for acts such as Long John Baldry, Great Big Sea and Doug and the Slugs, but has been with Spirit of the West since 1989, also becoming the band's manager in 2001.
The band also announced last year that lead singer John Mann, 52, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Ditrich and Shilliday have been friends for more than 20 years, after she married his childhood friend.
"It's like she's given me a boost because my battery died," Ditrich said. "Nothing clears the mind like a death sentence."
She first thought of becoming a candidate in March, when she called Ditrich and noticed his mood was different than usual. After learning of his situation, Shilliday asked for more information about being a donor.
At first, Ditrich refused. But Shilliday continued doing research and getting tests. Now, after months of examination, Shilliday may get the green light within the next couple of weeks.
"I am ecstatic. It's been a long road and finally it's here," said Shilliday. "I just can't wait for him to be healthy and back on his feet."
She said she never had a doubt about her decision to donate.
"I was born with two healthy kidneys, he wasn't. Friends share!" she said.
Spirit of the West Drummer Vince Ditrich performs before a crowd of about 5,000 on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, during a Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park in Peterborough, Ont. (Rob McCormick/Postmedia Network File Photo)
Mrs. Canada to donate kidney to Spirit of the West drummer | Canada | News | Tor