KidneyNews
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 3
WHY YOU WALK We all have our reasons for why we get involved with the Kidney Walk. Some walk for family members or friends who donated the kidney that saved their lives. Some walk to raise awareness of the importance of kidney health. Some are on dialysis. Some walkers are healthcare workers who walk in support of their patients. Some donated a kidney. And some provide in-kind or financial sponsorship to support the work of The Kidney Foundation and help raise awareness of the need for more organ donors.
Kidney Walk Celebrates Another Success There’s a famous Chinese proverb that says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.”
“
— A grateful mom
“
For the BC & Yukon Branch, and the Kidney Walks in particular, their first step was taken eleven years ago and their journey has covered much more than 1,000 miles. Thanks to the Sons of Scotland, a group of kidney supporters who organized the first Walk around Trout Lake in 2007 and launched the yearly event, Kidney Walkers have travelled 26 million kilometers and raised over $2.5 million. Jim, a member of the Sons of Scotland, says “The Kidney Walk is the number one charity of the Sons of Scotland. I wouldn’t be anywhere else today.” Jim’s dedication was mirrored this year by 4,500 other walkers, volunteers and sponsors in 16 locations around BC and the Yukon who laced up their favourite shoes, slipped on their Kidney Walk shirts and set out to make some noise about kidney disease. The total amount raised this year is $317,000 and counting!
I walked to thank the donor who gave the kidney that saved the life of my 2 ½ year old daughter 16 years ago.”
May 25, 2015 was the day I stopped just surviving and started living again.” — Samuel Veillet who walked to thank his dad for donating a kidney to him
“
I walked to thank The Kidney Foundation for the programs and services they provide to people with kidney disease.” — Kelowna’s Patrick Ng has Chronic Kidney Disease & has been on hemodialysis for over two years
Kidney Walkers have travelled 26 million kilometers and raised over $2.5 million But the Kidney Walk’s growth and success would not have happened without the incredible support and efforts of our Kidney Walk volunteers, participants and sponsors. You reach deep within your networks to raise those critical dollars, you step up and sponsor Kidney Walks in your community, you set up the tents, you take down tents, you rally your teams, you hold the beer & burger nights: you know who you are! To each and every one of you – THANK YOU! ■
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch 200 – 4940 Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 Phone Toll Free: 1-800-567-8112 Fax Toll Free: 1-800-667-8871
kidney.bc.ca
“
The Team Kidney Sisters walked for their mom who donated a kidney to their sister. " — Team Kidney Sisters
> continued on page 2
To all volunteers, sponsors, and participants who made 2018 Kidney Walk a big success. THANK YOU!
1
page
KidneyNews_Winter_2018Nov_vol19iss3_v1.indd 1
2018-11-28 1:12 PM