who is Darren
Darren was born in Kimberly, B.C. in 1975. He was raised mainly in the Kootenays with his 2 brothers and 1 sister. He moved to the Fruitvale area in 1989 where has resided since. He has earned 2 journeyman tickets and is now a staff member at Teck Metals Ltd. in Trail, B.C.. Darren has 2 beautiful daughters Halle & Jovi, aged 14 & 6 who give him strength to keep moving everyday. Darren is also supported by his long-time partner, Derrilyn, and many family members near and a far.
Darren started having high blood pressure as a teen and after a few tests and a biopsy he was diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis was caused by Darren's own immune system attacking his kidneys. Dialysis has been difficult for Darren and he has needed 8 surgeries involving the placement of different blood lines to make dialysis more effective. Unfortunately, there has not been much success and Darren must go to the dialysis unit 4 days a week for about 5 hours. In addition, he has a medication regimen that involves 25 pills a day. A lifetime of prescriptions has taken its toll; this January Darren had a total left hip replacement caused by the long-term use of these medications.