Ardmore Candle Shop Owner Fights Kidney Disease While Uplifting Community

Chris Holloway, owner of Cork and Candles, balances running his shop and undergoing 12-hour daily dialysis as he awaits a second kidney transplant.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Behind the warm glow and custom fragrance blends at Cork and Candles in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, owner Chris Holloway is fighting a battle most customers never see. Diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2005, Holloway received a transplant in 2016 but now needs a second one as the average lifespan of a donated kidney is 8-15 years. While running his shop and guiding customers in creating their own candles, Holloway spends 12 hours a day on a dialysis machine, often overnight. His wife Tia supports him through this journey, and their story has inspired customers to rally around them.

Why it matters

Holloway's story highlights the challenges faced by those with chronic kidney disease, who must balance managing their health with maintaining their livelihoods. His resilience and commitment to his community-focused business despite his medical struggles is an inspiration. By sharing his journey, Holloway hopes to raise awareness about the need for living kidney donors to help the thousands waiting for life-saving transplants.

The details

Holloway was diagnosed in 2005 with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease. He received a kidney transplant in 2016, but the average lifespan of a donated kidney is 8-15 years. Now, Holloway is waiting for a second transplant, spending 12 hours a day on a dialysis machine, often overnight, while running his candle shop, Cork and Candles, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Holloway guides customers in creating their own custom candles, fostering a sense of joy, creativity and connection in his shop. His wife Tia supports him through this journey, and their story has inspired customers to rally around them, with some even offering to be living kidney donors.

  • Holloway was diagnosed with FSGS in 2005.
  • Holloway received his first kidney transplant in 2016.
  • Holloway is currently waiting for a second kidney transplant.

The players

Chris Holloway

The owner of Cork and Candles in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, who was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 2005 and received a kidney transplant in 2016, but is now waiting for a second transplant.

Tia Holloway

Chris Holloway's wife, who supports him through his kidney disease journey.

Kelly Frank

The CBS Philadelphia General Manager who visited Cork and Candles, learned about Chris Holloway's story, and offered to bring her team for a team building event and potentially donate a kidney.

Cork and Candles

The candle shop owned by Chris Holloway in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he guides customers in creating their own custom candles.

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What they’re saying

“I know he's hurting. I know he's suffering. I have to watch it every day.”

— Tia Holloway, Chris Holloway's wife

“I would love to bring my team down here for a team building event. And I would also love to see if I can donate a kidney.”

— Kelly Frank, CBS Philadelphia General Manager

“No candle could leave here nameless.”

— Chris Holloway

What’s next

Chris Holloway says becoming a living donor is a process that can take six months to a year. By sharing his journey, he hopes to raise awareness not just for himself, but for the thousands of others waiting for a life-saving transplant.

The takeaway

Chris Holloway's story highlights the resilience and community-mindedness of small business owners facing serious health challenges. Despite the difficulties of managing his kidney disease while running his candle shop, Holloway continues to uplift his customers and inspire those around him to consider becoming living donors to help those in need of transplants.