Kelly Hallett was stunned when she was named the CFL Fan of the Year. Despite living in Mallorytown, Ont., loves the Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan and her incredible personal story won over the voters.
But for Kelly, the honour is more than just a recognition of her devotion to football—it is an opportunity to give back.
Part of the honour of being named CFL Fan of the Year is getting the Grey Cup for one day. So on April 25, Kelly is bringing the iconic Grey Cup to Kingston for a special fundraiser supporting the Living Kidney Donation program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). It’s a full-circle moment, marking the one-year anniversary of her husband Keith’s life-saving kidney transplant.
“This wasn’t just my story or Keith’s story,” says Kelly, a 47-year-old hair stylist. “This was a journey we took with an entire team of incredible health-care workers, and I knew I had to find a way to say thank you.”
Kelly and Keith’s journey began in 2017, when a foot ulcer caused by Keith’s diabetes spiraled into a medical crisis. While doctors worked to save his leg, his kidneys began to fail. By the time they realized a transplant was necessary, his kidney function had dropped to 15 per cent.
“I remember when he came home and said he needed a transplant. He told me he needed a donor with A+ or O blood type,” Kelly recalls. “I donate blood regularly, so I knew I was A+. Right away, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll get tested.’”
Though she was a blood match, further testing showed that her kidney wasn’t an ideal tissue match for Keith. But instead of giving up, Kelly entered the Paired Kidney Donation Program, which allows living donors to give their kidney to a compatible stranger in exchange for their loved one receiving a better match.
“For me, it wasn’t about who got my kidney—it was about making sure Keith got the best kidney possible,” she explains.
In April of 2024, Keith received his transplant. A month later, Kelly followed through on her promise, donating her kidney to a recipient in need. Now, she’s using the Grey Cup fundraiser as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and the incredible impact of living donors.
The event on April 25 from 2-4 p.m. will take place at the Merchant Tap House in Kingston, where attendees can see the Grey Cup up close and support the cause. Donations will go directly to UHKF to support kidney transplant services at KHSC.
She also plans to bring the Grey Cup to KHSC as way to thank health-care workers.
“The hospital staff were our rock through this entire process,” Kelly says. “They became like family. This fundraiser is about giving back, but it’s also about inspiring others to consider organ donation. If one person signs their donor card because of this event, it’s a victory.”
More details about the Grey Cup fundraiser on April 25 can be found on the UHKF website.
Touchdown for Life would not be possible without the following community sponsors: James Braden Auto Group (presenting), Keith Francis Holdings (gold), Chiasson Ford (silver) and 401 Auto Dealers Exchange (bronze).