Innes struts his stuff for Kidney Foundation

By Lori Larsen

On March 18, a local Camrosian, “male model” rookie, Chris Innes, will be strutting his stuff, along with several other Alberta male “celebrities”, during the 2023 Kidney Gala, held in Edmonton at the Italian Cultural Centre. Chris is part of a group of amazing men who have volunteered to model in the “Celebrity” Men’s Fashion show, all in the name of a good cause.

“I was approached by the Kidney Foundation last summer to support a barbecue happening here in Camrose at Mirror Lake,” said Save On Foods (Camrose Store) manager Christopher Innes. “The barbecue was a big success here in town, and I was later asked by the team at the Kidney Foundation if I was willing to step outside, not only my community, but my comfort zone to ‘strut my stuff’ on the runway.”

While Innes admitted this was definitely outside of his comfort zone, for him it simply felt like the right thing to do in order to help support local organizations and those in need of their services. “I’ve come to be very proud of our community here in Camrose and look forward to representing it with the hopes of helping raise funds for those in need across Alberta through the wonderful work of our Alberta Kidney Foundation.”

According to the Kidney Foundation, one in 10 Canadians have kidney disease and the numbers continue to rise.

“Kidney disease is often in the shadows,” noted Kidney Foundation of Canada, Northern Alberta and The Territories Branch executive director, Flavia Robles. “People don’t continue to talk about it, and the Kidney Foundation is hoping to change that by having the opportunity to talk about how kidney disease impacts one in 10 Canadians and of those waiting on the organ transplant list, almost 80 per cent of them are waiting for a kidney.”

There are over 500,000 Albertans impacted by kidney disease. Of the new kidney disease patients, 46 per cent of them are under the age of 65, and of the four million Canadians who have kidney disease, more than 52,000 are being treated for kidney failure symptoms.

“Kidney disease is chronic,” said Robles. “There are treatments available but there is no cure. What we call “best treatment” is organ donation and we are always advocating for living organ donor support. It can be for kidney, liver or lung. Those are real super heroes, stepping up to support the cause and really impact someone’s life. We help break down the financial barriers for anyone considering living organ donation throughout the province.”

For those living with kidney disease, the cost of getting to treatments can pose a financial burden.

Recognizing this, the Kidney Foundation has developed multiple programs and services that can guide and assist in different ways.

“Dialysis is the main and start treatment,” explained Robles. “It involves going into a centre three or four times a week for four to five hours at a time. This impacts a person’s life dramatically. For some, it means having to travel and leave their communities.”

Aside from the cost of travelling and possible overnight accommodation, the cost of absenteeism from work can be financially devastating. “For some it may mean having only a part time job while they are trying to maintain their health. The Kidney Foundation are the ones that are able to provide assistance for a lot of these challenges that these individuals face.”

Robles added that the need for assistance is increasing and as the cost of living continues to rise, it directly impacts the assistance available through the Kidney Foundation.

“What used to provide a $100 in groceries doesn’t get you very far, so requests are for $200 now, minimum, to be able to provide groceries that will help,” she said, adding that kidney disease patients are required to maintain a very restrictive, healthy diet which can be a barrier for a lot of individuals.

“As the Kidney Foundation provides the medication, covering rent and utilities, equipment, gas cards accommodation, the list goes on for the type of requests we get and we work to fill as best as we can.”

Vital organs, such as kidneys are required for survival and quality of life, the more people know about the function of their kidneys and subsequently the risk of kidney disease, the better chance of decreasing risks and providing for necessary medical care for the incurable kidney disease.

Unfortunately, symptoms of kidney disease may not develop until permanent damage has already occurred, and that can lead to the staggering statistics (2019 Kidney Foundation) that kidney disease was the 10th leading cause of death in Canada.

Events such as the 2023

Kidney Gala and the Camrose Kidney Walk to be held on September 16 at Mirror Lake, not only raise necessary funds to assist those battling kidney disease and their families, with out-ofpocket costs, but also bring about awareness on pertinent information regarding kidney disease.

“These types of events actually raise awareness. They bring the community together–kidney community, stakeholders, supporters, donors everyone is welcome,” said Robles. “And of course generate those very important funds we need to be able to support the programs and services we provide for those living with the challenges of chronic kidney disease.”

Creating awareness is an important mandate of the Kidney Foundation; and encouraging everyone to “stay on Top of their kidney health” by identifying risk for kidney disease and learning what can be done to help treat kidney failure, with a 10-minute risk awareness quiz available at www.kidney.ca/risk

Coming together and having those conversations, whether at a gala or while walking around a scenic lake can be the first step in making huge strides about organ donation.

“At the end we always say, ‘Live your life to the fullest then pass it on.’ That would be a tremendous gift,” said Robles. “Then, in general, how your dollars will impact the lives of those right now through support services programs. We just thank everyone that can step up to be able to support the cause of those we serve in the kidney and transplant community.”

For more information on kidney disease, visit the Kidney Foundation website at www.kidney.ca

Chase the Ace Draw 42

Submitted

Chase the Ace’s Draw 42 winner Chris Howard won $1,100. Chris chose the Two of Spades, so the progressive jackpot carries on, moving forward to $25,488.

The Featured charity, Camrose Centennial Museum Society, also received $1,100 from the presenting sponsor, Camrose Kinettes. The Hospice Society of Camrose and District will be the big winners, as the jackpot keeps growing until the Ace of Spades or the 51 card is drawn–whichever comes first.