In 2010, 17-year-old David MacKinnon had been feeling lethargic and lacked his typical appetite. After routine tests, David was diagnosed with end stage renal failure. Following this diagnosis, the MacKinnon’s found out that David would need emergency peritoneal dialysis and would require a kidney transplant within a year if he was to survive.
While David began dialysis, his mother Michelle, worked to become his kidney donor. With luck, Michelle and David were almost perfect matches and the family became optimistic about David’s kidney transplant. Over the next few months, David’s transplant surgery would be cancelled twice, with a third date scheduled for June 8, 2011. Unfortunately, David died on June 8, 2011, before receiving his new kidney.
Following the loss of their son, the MacKinnon family chose to honour David’s memory by founding the David Gregory MacKinnon Memorial Foundation in 2012. Inspired by David’s personal interests, the charitable organization strives to provide scholarships for those interested in pursuing careers in aviation, architecture, art, and medical science. Additionally, the foundation provides support for the community by purchasing medical equipment for renal centres and assisting with the cost of patient medication.
With the funds raised through the charitable partnership with Delta Bingo & Gaming, the David Gregory MacKinnon Memorial Foundation can make meaningful contributions to the community in David’s honour.
