In Honor of Ronan Domenico Isaac Varga

RONAN’S STORY

RONAN VARGA

FIGHTING: KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD), GR. 5 BILATERAL REFLUX assoc. w. RENAL DYSPLASIA (VUR) & RETINAL COLOBOMA’S

Ronan Domenico Isaac Varga was born on May 15, 2016, to very proud and excited parents Nadine and Sean, and his big sister Liliana.

Even before he arrived, Ronan was already proving to be a fighter. A month before his birth, doctors discovered he had Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR), a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the kidneys. Doctors initially reassured his parents that it might resolve on its own. Just days after birth, it was confirmed that he had VUR on both sides, rated 11 out of 10 in severity. His ureters were severely dilated, and he began daily antibiotics to prevent UTIs. To this day, the condition has not improved, and he now lives with Grade 5 Bilateral Reflux associated with Renal Dysplasia, a serious kidney disorder.

At just a few weeks old, Ronan’s pediatrician noticed something unique about his eyes. One looked like an upside-down teardrop, and the other appeared smaller. He was urgently referred to SickKids, where he was diagnosed with bilateral Retinal Colobomas, a rare condition in which tissue is missing from the optic nerves. His left eye was confirmed to be physically smaller, with a larger coloboma. Doctors warned that he might be blind or nearly so. Ronan began wearing an eye patch and using special drops to help strengthen the left eye and train the brain to use it.

Thanks to his determination and his beloved Nonno Domenic, lovingly nicknamed “the Patch Doctor,” Ronan kept up with the patching, which made a significant difference. In September 2019, doctors were astonished to discover that Ronan had 20/20 vision in his right eye and 20/40 in his left. He has become a global case study, as doctors say his level of vision defies science and gives hope to others.

In October 2018, Ronan underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia. During the surgery, there were some complications, and as a result, doctors discovered that Ronan had chronic kidney disease. This marked a major turning point in his medical journey. Since then, he has been under the expert care of the Nephrology, Urology, and Ophthalmology teams at SickKids. He was previously seen by the Genetics program at North York General Hospital and is now continuing ongoing genetics care through the Genetics Clinic at SickKids.

In April 2019, Ronan’s creatinine levels spiked dangerously, putting him at risk of stroke or heart failure. He was immediately placed on a strict low-potassium diet, which he continues to follow carefully. In 2025, it was confirmed that some of the scarring on his kidneys had officially turned to damage.

In April 2024, due to his kidney issues, Ronan had concerningly high blood pressure and was immediately put on blood pressure medication to help stabilize his blood pressure to a safe level, and he remains on this daily medication.

In January 2026, Ronan’s family was informed that only one of his kidneys is functioning for his entire body, and that kidney is both scarred and damaged. His other kidney stopped growing with his body and is no longer functioning.

Ronan has also completed all major vaccinations to prepare for the day that he progresses to Stage 4 kidney disease, which would require dialysis while awaiting a kidney transplant.

Despite everything, including his severe needle phobia, fear of pain from the blood pressure machine, and sometimes sadness from his difficult journey, Ronan remains courageous, hopeful, and bright-spirited. He is surrounded and grateful for his loving family, incredible friends, teachers and the dedicated SickKids Doctors, Nurses, Nephrology Social Worker, Patient Ambassador Team and Staff, as well as his Pediatrician, who all care for him with unwavering compassion and support.

Ronan hopes to one day become a professional soccer player/footballer.

Ronan is proud to be a SickKids Ambassador (since August 2025) and sends strength and positivity to other SickKids patients and their families. He hopes his story will help bring awareness to The Hospital for Sick Children, and more funding for medical research to help his medical conditions and others.

Connect with Ronan’s Parents at 416-899-9916 or nnvarga@gmail.com