Ghanaian-American Creative Director and Multidimensional Creator Eddie Oppong has launched a new Capsule Collection to push for more public education and awareness of kidney disease, a condition he has been battling since birth.
Eddie was diagnosed with Congenital Kidney Disease at an early age of 3 months, a rare condition a child is born with that affects the form and function of the kidneys.
In an in-depth chat with Abigail Bodo of GAJ, Eddie recounted his life path of becoming a “Kidney Warrior”.
“I was born with one Kidney, usually you are born with two healthy kidneys but unfortunately in my case, the one kidney I was born with came with issues. It was determined early that this would essentially become a problem over time.
Fast forward to the age of 8 years, the kidney began to fail. Truthfully the most devastating thing to endure as a child, experiencing the effects of an organ failing and not sure what you did wrong to experience such.
I was instantly placed on the Kidney transplant list to await a life-changing organ ” He narrated.
On November 18th, 1999 at the age of 9 years old, Eddie received his first Kidney transplant at Children’s Memorial in Chicago, IL USA.
“Words literally can’t express what that moment meant to me, as a child, as a survivor, as Theresa’s Son. Thankfully that transplanted Kidney lasted me 13 years but unfortunately failed at age 22. At this current time, I’ve been on dialysis for a decade awaiting my second Kidney transplant.”
Eddie says he is thankful to his mother, Miss Theresa who has been his major backbone.
“How I overcome this battle and journey is to simply say, my mother. I give all acknowledgement and praise to her, for being the warrior she is and instilling that in me. Teaching me how to navigate through life not allowing my diagnosis to hinder the dreams in my mind” He said.
He also added that his family and friends have been his biggest support team who play various roles in making sure that he is on his feet.
“I can wholeheartedly say my close circle has continuously taken me out of moments of depression and sadness. My amazing therapist Julie, family, and friends. That’s how I’m getting through the tough days”.
According to him, life is the driving force that keeps him in motion, reminding him that he is way more than his health status and to always find the beauty in everything that occurs through life.
His newly launched capsule collection titled “Kidney Warrior” was to push the awareness campaign to a larger audience.
“Many have known about my health journey, but it is time to tell it to those that didn’t. For this capsule collection, I released a new pair of Chuck 70s apparel. Everyone in some way is affected by Kidney disease. This is for all of us” He added.
Full collection available at www.EddieOppong.com
Eddie on the 4th of June 2023 was joined by friends and loved ones to participate in a National Health Walk powered by the National Kidney Foundation to further push for the awareness.
The walk which took place in some areas in the United States was to also help raise funds for research, learning tools, and community programs, and to support patients.
He also called for more intensive education to encourage people so that fear does not prevent them from donating to save the life of someone close to them.
“It is very unfortunate that due to lack of knowledge, fear, and misinformation, many people are hesitant to try to become donors to those close to them” He stated.
Eddie has close to a decade of experience as a Creative Director and has designed independently about 8 sneaker projects.
The Chicago-based designer owns the clothing brand, ‘Ye Wo Krom’ which is a driven streetwear that takes inspiration from Ghanaian Culture.
He is a gifted storyteller which he channels through his designs.
He encouraged those in similar health conditions to continue fighting a good fight because “we are warriors in battle, all experiencing some type of battle”.
Eddie is presently on dialysis treatment and awaiting his second Kidney Transplant.