Delana Rovensky, an Edmonton resident diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy—also known as Berger’s Disease—during her teenage years, now faces end-stage kidney failure. This rare progressive autoimmune condition has led her to urgently seek a living kidney donor with blood type O+ or O-.
A Lengthy Wait for Deceased Donor
Officials informed Rovensky that the wait for a deceased donor kidney could span five to nine years due to her blood type. “Once I was on the deceased donor list, I was told it’s a five to nine-year wait given my blood type,” she explained. “So, we are doing as much as we can.”
Community Outreach Efforts
After friends and family tested without success, Rovensky expanded her search to the public. Four individuals underwent testing; two discovered their own kidney problems, enabling early treatment. “I’ve had four people test. Good news was two of the people actually didn’t know they had kidney issues so this was good for them,” she noted with a laugh. “They are able to now start their treatment and preventative measures.”
Her support network leverages social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, alongside custom T-shirts worn during walks to raise awareness about transplant donations. “We have been sharing on Facebook as much as we can, Instagram, TikTok,” Rovensky said. “We’ve also done up T-shirts that people bought, so if they’re out for walks, they wear the T-shirt to get communication going about transplant donation.”
Daily Dialysis Routine
The disease severely limits Rovensky’s routine. She performs peritoneal dialysis four times daily at home using an abdominal catheter. “I have a catheter in my abdomen, which fluid goes into. It sits for three hours and then it’s replaced with new fluid,” she described. “That’s how I remove the toxins from my system.” Unable to work, she faces mounting financial pressures from medical travel, medications, and living costs.
Fundraising and Local Support
Rovensky’s brother launched a GoFundMe campaign to boost awareness, cover expenses, and assist potential donors. Great White Car Wash contributed $5 per vehicle wash on World Kidney Day, March 12, and extended the promotion to March 19 due to inclement weather. The condition affects not only Rovensky but creates a ripple effect on her family and friends emotionally, mentally, and physically. “It impacts not just me, but the ripple effect, you know, my family, my friends,” she said. “It’s a lot of support emotionally, mentally, physically.”
Alberta Organ Donation Statistics
Give Life Alberta highlights that kidney transplant demand exceeds supply nationwide. Patients may wait years for deceased donors, but living donors significantly shorten timelines. The organization evaluates living donors from public appeals and anonymous sources but does not engage in recruitment.
In 2025, 272 deceased Albertans donated organs and tissues, while 75 living donors provided kidneys or liver lobes. Over 500 people currently await life-saving transplants in the province, with 53 on the list passing away that year.
Hope for a Match
Rovensky shares her story to encourage testing, potentially matching her or aiding others. “It would mean everything,” she said. “It would mean living a life.”
