#kidney4craig

[journalistgal]

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. 

[journalistgal]

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

[journalistgal]

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

[journalistgal]

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 Although the old station has been replaced by the newer one, he was there when it was built and still recognizes it as his home.