Domenic Fazioli - There is no better feeling than being a lifesaver. It sets your soul at peace and give your life a purpose. It is the most precious feeling ever though it may not bring you a fairytale ending.

Five years ago, a kidney exchange program managed to save the lives of six Canadians from three different provinces. It was a miraculous event when the destiny of 6 strangers got tied up in most unexpected way. When the loved ones are suffering, you’d turn every stone in this world to make them alright. In the same way, three healthy individuals were willing to donate their kidney for their loved ones but unfortunately they were not good matches for their respective recipients. Fortunately, they get this wonderful chance to donate their kidneys to utter strangers and give them an irreplaceable gift of life.

In the same program, Cosmo Fazioli - father for Domenic Fazioli (the leading news reporter and video journalist) - received a kidney from a B.C. woman Melissa Campbell, who was the last link in this exchange chain. Few days back from this incident, Domenic Fazioli had donated one of his kidneys to an unknown recipient in Ottawa while the relative of the recipient had gone to Vancouver to donate a kidney to Campbell’s husband, Steve. And hours later, Campbell went to Montreal to complete the circle and donate kidney to Cosmo Fazioli while her husband was recovering on the bedside.

This was the first Canadian living donor paired exchanges, also known as three way swap, to save three lives in most unexpected way. Cosmo Fazioli, now 72, is apparently off-dialysis and recovering quite well from his operation. While in an interview, he mentioned, “I’m feeling very well, just a little weak you know.”

In an interview, Dr. Gabriel Chan, who performed the Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital’s first transplant based on the exchange program, said that this kidney exchange program has been a blessing to the patients who have living donors but can’t accept their organs because of incompatibility issues.

The Montreal Gazette’s Charlie Fidelman was also there in the Operation Theatre to witness the result of the this exchange program of “Canadian Living Donor Paired Exchange”
“I'm really trying hard not to sweat the small stuff, said donor Domenic Fazioli. “It's really life changing.
“My dad has done everything for us. I don't think I've told my dad enough that I love him but I hope this helps send him a message.”
The program, launched here in 2010, has led to 11 surgeries in the province.

For Fazioli and all other donors and recipients under this program, it has been a long haul.

“The kidney has always worked properly,” Cosmo Fazioli said in an interview while sitting in the kitchen with his son Domenic at his St-Léonard home

For Fazioli, the kidney transplant brought his life-consuming dialysis treatments to an end, but it gave rise to new health challenges. Following his kidney transplant, he was repeatedly hospitalized for being catheterized for long periods and suffered from the infections. Eventually, he had to undergo tracheotomy to help him breathe.

“It’s been hell,” said Anna Fazioli, his wife and devoted caregiver. “It’s hard. You suffer alongside.”

Apart from all these challenges, Cosmo Fazioli has always been thankful to his son and of course his donor to put some of his miseries to an end.

He said he had no regrets at all and he’d like to meet and hug the person for this precious gift.

“I actually reached out to the hospital a few times since and I asked if I could send a Christmas card or something, but no,” Domenic said. “To this day, I wouldn’t say it bothers me, but I would love it if he or she contacted me.

The exchange of kidneys among six strangers was precious event even though it didn’t have a fairytale ending; but it was definitely life-changing.