HIS STORY

Karmen Omeasoo aka Hellnback is a storyteller through music and is a kidney transplant survivor from the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta. Father of 5, he currently resides with his wife and daughters in Treaty 5 at Winnipeg, MB. In July 2019, Karmen and Lisa visited her homelands in northern Manitoba. One summer evening, he could barely hold his breath and struggled to breathe. As concerns grew into worry, Karmen would be rushed to the Cross Lake nursing station and through testing, he was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Failure from Chronic Kidney Disease. All the symptoms leading up, which appeared to be a minor flu to the ignoramus would turn into a no point of return, changing up the path and walking in a new journey, the kidney journey. 

Stage 5 Kidney Failure means that your kidneys are severely damaged and very close to failing or have already stopped, in some patients. The low functioning kidney can cause an array of symptoms as the kidneys are near failure and can no longer filter waste out of your body. This can cause waste products to build up in your body that can make you very ill or near death. To treat kidney failure is to begin a form of dialysis which is a machine or mechanism/system to filter blood outside of your body and to go back in your body. This is a silent epidemic plaguing First Nation communities across the Canada. 

Karmen's journey reached 4% kidney function and during his diagnosis, he’s been through many hoops and challenges with his health. In 2023, he suffered a massive brain seizure in Alberta during his short stay. Returning to Manitoba, he is continued the process of transplant testing while adhering to his doctor and any concerns that rose. Karmen Omeasoo was a hemodialysis patient at the Seven Oaks Hospital for 6 years. 

In early June 2025, Karmen received a call that he has a 100 percent kidney match, which was the needle in the haystack case, and quickly responded then entered the kidney transplant process. In this case, Karmen and the donor had a few tests before proceeding the procedure and safely the surgery was a success! Karmen Omeasoo is now in post transplant healing recovery at home with his family and learning post transplant life. He now dedicates his time, to education First Nation communities about diabetes and kidney disease awareness through music and community initiatives. Now to live a life without constant fear and find relief and gratitude in every breath. 

Thank you all who prayed for us, offered your clothes and danced in ceremonies for us. All helped carry our family through in your faith.