The Peterborough Petes have announced that they are hosting a World Kidney Day Game Night on Thursday, March 9, at 7:05 PM against the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The game will be focused around Petes Associate Coach and alumnus, Andrew Verner, who has lived with glomerulonephritis since 1999 and is now raising funds and awareness for the cause.
Verner, who played for the Petes from 1989-92 and has been on the coaching staff since 2012, was originally diagnosed with glomerulonephritis while playing hockey in Germany in 1999. As his kidney function continued to deteriorate, he began dialysis in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his journey, Andrew received care locally from Dr. Vincent Cheung and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s nephrology centre team, as well as health care teams in Toronto. Verner received a new kidney on March 9, 2021 through the Paired Kidney Donation Program. Three days later his wife Allison donated her kidney to save another life.
“Allison and I are extremely proud and honoured to be working together with the PRHC Foundation leading up to World Kidney Day,” noted Verner. “We are excited to raise money and awareness for the thousands dealing with kidney health issues and those on dialysis waiting for their opportunity to resume life as they knew it, or life period.”
The World Kidney Day Game Night will feature a puck drop honouring the Verners and Dr. Cheung. It will also feature an in-house silent auction with all proceeds in support of equipment used in the lifesaving delivery of dialysis treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Some of the items available in the auction include:
- Two Toronto Maple Leafs tickets
- Kewley Security private suite (March 14th Petes Game)
- Molson Beer Fridge
- A number of signed NHL jerseys and memorabilia (Josh Norris, Matt Duchene, Nick Robertson, Mason McTavish, and others)
A donation page for Verner has also been set up through the PRHC Foundation website and can be found below. Donations made on the PRHC Foundation site are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
The Verners also encourage everyone to sign up for the Ontario Organ and Tissue Donor Registry to help save lives. Fans at the game on March 9 will be able to learn more about organ and tissue donations.
Fans looking to attend the World Kidney Day Game Night can purchase tickets by clicking here, or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.
