CambriaCares Brings Awarenessto Organ Donation
Life is not without challenges and we often laud those who triumph over obstacles. But sometimes, there are challenges that simply cannot be overcome alone. Thankfully, Cambria is a place where relationships are fostered and valued, where people care for each other and provide support to those, who through no fault of their own, face challenging circumstances. Peter Warda, owner of Millennium Media Systems, has experienced Cambria’s care and compassionfirsthand
BY ANGELA JOHNSONtechnology we wouldn’t want to live without. But now, after 18 years of getting up and going to work for companies like Cambria, Warda has learned there is something that he can’t live without—his kidneys.
Warda was introduced to Cambria President and CEO Marty Davis in 2004 and helped with some technology needs in Davis’s home. Soon after, Warda’s expertise would become an integral part of Cambria’s audiovisual needs across its facilities. Butch Brey, VP of Plant Operations, doesn’t recall ever working with anyone other thanWardaonaudiovisualtechnology. He says, “Peter is a great guy, an innovative guy, always on the cutting edge of stuff.” Conference rooms and showrooms used daily by Cambria employees and guests have been equipped by Warda with
On an otherwise typical morning back in 2014, Warda sensed something wasn’t right. He says, “I felt my arm tingling and I felt weird and off-balance.” He checked his blood pressure. It was high. He told his wife, “I think I might be having a heart attack,” and she rushed him to the emergency room. After a flurry of tests and meetings with specialists, it was determined that the then 48-year-old Warda has a healthy heart. But unfortunately, the symptoms he was experiencing that day were caused by unhealthy kidneys. Warda was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disease that causes scar tissue to develop on small parts of the kidneys, preventing them from filtering toxins from his blood. There is no known cause or cure.
Doctors helped Warda develop a plan to manage the effects of his disease. But, this past year, shortly after Thanksgiving, Warda’s
kidneys could no longer function properly without the aid of dialysis treatments three times a week. Dialysis has greatly improved how he feels. He’s no longer nauseous from poisoned blood and he can travel to do work for Cambria. But sometime soon, Warda will require a kidney transplant in order to live a normal life.
Normal life for Warda is not unlike what anyone would want, the ability to work, enjoy time with his wife and children, and go on vacation. Through the University of Minnesota, Warda has completed the necessary tests to become an eligible transplant recipient. Now comes Warda’s latest challenge—waiting. But throughout, Cambria has been unwavering in its support. Warda says, “Through everything, Marty and everyone at Cambria have been very loyal and supportive.”
Audiovisual technology is integrated into our daily lives and we rely on experts like Warda who, over time, has become an integral part of the Cambria family. It’s encouraging to know that he can rely on us and that we can help him overcome this challenge. ✦
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Show your support to Peter Warda by visiting and sharing his CaringBridge page to help him find a match and support him with words of encouragement.
If you or someone you know is interested in being a live organ donor, please visit organdonor.gov/learn/process/ living-donation and share this message with your network.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DONATION:
Transplants and transfusions can often be someone’s only hope for a cure. To learn more about donating, please check out:
• Heath Resources and Services Administration, the nation’s unifying voice for organ, eye, and tissue donation at organdonor.gov
• Be The Match, the global leader in bone marrow transplantation at bethematch.org
• American Red Cross at redcross.org
A LONG-TIME VENDOR AND FRIEND OF CAMBRIA BRINGS THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN DONATION CLOSE TO HOME.Peter Warda with his wife Regan and their daughter Ava. (Above): Peter Warda with his granddaughter Lilah. (Right): Peter Warda and his step-daughter Tianna and daughter Ava.