Vancouver Footwear Designer John Fluevog Unveils Shoes to Support Kidney Health
Vancouver-based footwear designer John Fluevog has introduced a new limited-edition shoe collection aimed at raising awareness and funds for kidney disease, drawing from his personal battle with the condition. The launch coincides with Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month in April, highlighting the critical need for organ donors across Canada.
A Personal Journey with Kidney Disease
John Fluevog has lived with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic disorder affecting approximately one in 1,000 people, since his 40s. This condition involves the growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, leading to symptoms like chronic pain, high blood pressure, and potential kidney failure. Despite his diagnosis, Fluevog initially downplayed the severity, influenced by his father's experience with the same disease who lived to 82 without it causing his death.
"I carried on, being monitored, but not really believing it would catch up to me," Fluevog recalls. However, regular checkups at St. Paul's Hospital kidney clinic revealed a rapid decline in his kidney function to dangerous levels, forcing him to confront the reality of needing dialysis or a transplant.
The Transplant and Tribute
In 2025, Fluevog received a life-saving kidney transplant from a family friend named Patty. "Words cannot express how very grateful I am. I owe my life to Patty," he says. To honor her and her husband Alan, who supported her through the donation process, Fluevog created two limited-edition shoe designs named "Patty" and "The Alan."
Fifteen percent of proceeds from these shoes will be donated to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, with the goal of boosting awareness about the urgent need for organ donors. Megan Owen-Evans, a board director with The Kidney Foundation of B.C. and Yukon branch, emphasizes that living kidney donation offers the best outcomes for many patients, yet donor numbers lag behind demand.
Raising Awareness for a Critical Cause
According to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, over four million Canadians are affected by kidney disease, with more than 50,000 people relying on dialysis or living with a transplant. More than 70 percent of Canadians on organ transplant waitlists are awaiting a kidney. Fluevog's experience opened his eyes to this widespread issue. "Going through the process, I realized there are a lot of people struggling and waiting for a donor, and far too few donors," he notes.
By leveraging his design expertise, Fluevog aims to close the awareness gap and encourage more people to consider organ donation. His initiative not only provides financial support through donations but also sparks conversations about kidney health in communities nationwide.
