A Calgary man who survived kidney disease has given $1 million to establish the largest research chair at the University of Calgary's faculty of medicine.

Roy Baay and his wife Vi said they donated the money Wednesday as a sign of their gratitude.

"It's a very simple answer … you're looking at me and I'm alive," said Roy Baay.

In 1998, Baay was diagnosed with kidney disease. He credits an experimental research program with saving his life.

Dr. Nairne Scott-Douglas, director of the Calgary Health Region's Southern Alberta renal program, said the money couldn't have come at a better time.
 
"There's a dramatic increase in the number of people with chronic kidney disease, you know, looking at tripling in the last four years in our referrals for people with chronic kidney disease," he said, adding that a better screening program is one of the reasons for the increase.

Kidney disease refers to several conditions where the organs, which remove waste from the body and help keep the blood clean, are not functioning properly. It can be treated if diagnosed early, but if left untreated, can lead to fatal kidney failure.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney disease.

To date, $3.2 million has been raised for the U of C chair that will lead research into better treatments for kidney disease. When added to the Baay's donation and matching funds from the provincial government, the Roy and Vi Baay Chair in Kidney Research will total $7.2 million, said the school.