Big news for Kidney 4 Craig

All reporting done by student journalist Myriah Saulnier. Also available via printed Algonquin Times and algonquintimes.com

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Kidney 4 Craig prevails - algonquin times

More back story on Craig Dunbar and his journey to recovery

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Big news for Kidney 4 Craig

Forty-one year old former student got the miracle kidney that saved his life nine months ago, and now has finally been able to reach his goal of going back to doing the thing he loves: firefighting.

After being on dialysis for six years and having only a couple of short term options left available, Craig Dunbar’s family immediately started a campaign called Kidney 4 Craig. The campaign helped him reach the donor willing to give him the kidney that would change his life forever, and that kidney came from his former sector chief’s wife.

After six months of recovery, Dunbar has been medically cleared to return to firefighting as of Sept. 26.

He started training with his team last week, joined a gym to get back into physical shape and has a few certifications to get up to date before he begins responding again. His goal is to be finished his training and back on the trucks by January or February. 

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We usually see people on the worst day of their lives. We respond to a variety of incidents and it can be very traumatizing for the people involved, so being able to be there and look after them in the best way possible is just another way I can give back to the community.

Craig Dunbar

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New kidney, new life, new outlook

He has a new found love for life and appreciation for everything that is around him. He has been keeping busy with charity events and volunteer work, but also has been able to leave the house for weekend trips for the first time in years and is back to playing the sports he loves.

“I have never been afraid of hard work, sweat and dirt,” Dunbar said.

According to Dunbar, his mental health is also better than ever. He is more positive and energetic, and “finally back to the person he was before all this happened.”

“There is this new freedom for both my wife and I,” he said. “Neither of us realized how much stress we were under until it was gone.”

Volunteering at the fire station allows him to help others and give back as much as possible, which has always been part of who Dunbar is, even before his new life. 

Craig Dunbar and his wife Heather in their new home in Carp. About five minutes away from the fire station where he also calls "home".

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This is the one goal that I have been focused on since we found out that my donor Ann and I would be having our surgery. Out of everything that happened, not being able to respond anymore was one of the things that hit me hardest. I have always been dedicated to the community, so being able to get back is pretty amazing.

Craig Dunbar

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Training begins

He started training with his team last week, joined a gym to get back into physical shape and has a few certifications to get up to date before he begins responding again. His goal is to be finished his training and back on the trucks by January or February.

“It’s nice to be back home again,” Dunbar said.

He started being a Carp firefighter about 20 years ago. Although the old station has been replaced by the newer one, he was there when it was built and still recognizes it as his home.

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At the fire station in Carp with Dunbar. Captions:

1- Forty-one year old former student got the miracle kidney that saved his life nine months ago, and now has finally been able to reach his goal of going back to doing the thing he loves: firefighting.

2- He begins training this week, which will last about 4 months until he is back on the trucks. Dunbar still has to get his re-certifications as well as work towards getting in back physical shape.

3- "We usually see people on the worst day of their lives...so being able to be there and look after them in the best way possible is just another way I can give back to the community"

4- Dunbar with his sector chief Chris Burke at the Carp fire station.