Kidney March Brochure 2015

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK ON WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

(left to right) Michelle McKinnon hugs Kali Lehman.

Kali walks for her daughter Emma, who was born without functioning kidneys.

Michelle walks in memory of her son David.

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BEYOND THE MONEY WE RAISE TO BANKROLL THE FIGHT AGAINST KIDNEY DISEASE, BEYOND THE SPIRITS WE RAISE IN THE EXUBERANT APPEAL FOR ORGAN DONATION, BEYOND THE VOICES WE RAISE ON THE ROAD AND IN OUR HOMES SO THAT ALL SHOULD KNOW THE PURPOSE AND PASSION OF OUR CRUSADE, FROM ITS START IN OUR HEARTS TO THE CULMINATING KILOMETRES OF OUR ANNUAL JOURNEY, BEYOND THIS LIES THE TOUCHSTONE OF PROMISE ITSELF: THE BELIEF THAT WITH OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAUSE, HOWEVER HUMBLE, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. JOY WHERE SADNESS THREATENS. LIFE WHERE DEATH WAS FORETOLD. THE STRENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WHO HAS SO OFTEN BEEN TOLD THAT POWER DWELLS ONLY IN NUMBERS. WILL YOU, MY FRIEND, BE A RAY OF HOPE? WILL YOU, TOO, BE A BEACON OF LIGHT? WILL YOU, WITH YOUR MORTAL ARMS AND OWN TWO FEET, BE POSSIBILITY ITSELF?

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100 KILOMETRES? SOME SAY IT’S A PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY.

I’ve been a KidneyMarch believer since the beginning and plan to keep moving until there’s no need for the movement at all. I train hard because I have to, walking ditches, picking cans and bottles around my community. A 100 km is a feat but I am committed my feet won’t fail me.

Remember, failure is not an option on KidneyMarch. I walk for my father-in-law, a dialysis patient.

I’m a ray of hope, a beacon of light, an agent of possibility.

I’m Richard Preston, 69 5-Time KidneyMarcher

(left Lace Meli Suzie Lori

CHANGING THE NATIONAL ATTITUDE ON KIDNEY DISEASE? AN OVERWHELMING IMPOSSIBILITY.

Justin told us about KidneyMarch before he passed away from kidney cancer at the age of 38 and now we’re Team Justin. Kidney disease is a silent killer, so we’re going to dial up the volume until no one can ignore it. All of you who have your own Justin, join us.

Make some noise!

Each of us is a ray of hope, a beacon of light, an agent of possibility.

(left to right) Lacey Knowles Melissa McMillan Suzie Atherton Lori Wells

We are Team Justin: Lacey Knowles Melissa McMillan Suzie Atherton Lori Wells

WALKING FOR DAYS BUT LOVING EVERY MINUTE? FEELS LIKE AN IMPOSSIBILITY. My son Tristan was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2009, and despite occasional high points, he is facing his lifetime without a cure for his condition. But we are devoted to joy…especially Tristan’s. And if we do ANYthing on KidneyMarch beyond laughing and loving, we’re failing him. And failure is not an option, as everyone on KidneyMarch knows.

It’s not just how far you can walk… it’s how high you can leap.

Team Tristan, yeah!

(left to right) Lisa Roper Aelie Cruise

Aelie Cruise, my friend, is a ray of hope, a beacon of light, an agent of possibility, and so am I, Lisa Roper.

OVERCOMING THE ODDS WITH A FAILED KIDNEY? NOT AN IMPOSSIBILITY. I have some challenges: dialysis, two artificial hips, and a bad knee but I like to think that having a big heart and fingers that cross will get me through all 100 km. I have been so inspired by so many individuals that by this point I don’t represent challenge as much as I resolutely am committed to change. Bringing it.

Insisting on it. Let’s save some lives, people — by investing the money we raise together! We can do it!

(left to right) Mary Spencer Kurt McGraw Jason Hofer Michelle Hofer Sheri Wizniak

I’m a ray of hope, a beacon of light, an agent of possibility, I’m Jason Hofer, 2-time KidneyMarcher

FILL YOUR BACKPACK WITH POSSIBILITIES. CHANGE KIDNEY DISEASE INTO KIDNEY DISCOVERY

Illness is replaced by inspiration on KidneyMarch, as hundreds of Marchers put 100 kilometres to the proof over three breathtaking days and nights. The goal is to dismantle the disease, one step at a time. With our courage. Our steadfastness. Our belief in the light we shed on each other and the entire landscape of kidney disease, as we move through K-Country to Calgary — to a cure for the invisibility and ignorance that handicap our ability to win out over the disease.

SHOW THAT FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION

We will not fail each other, ever.

That’s our pledge — and our edge, our secret weapon against the impossible.

And it’s what makes the KidneyMarch experience so beautiful. Meeting so many people who are battling against the odds and doing so with such an even temperament, as if walking this unheard-of distance were an everyday (rather than a three-day) proposition.

You’ve heard of the runner’s high...the KidneyMarchers’ equivalent is a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing you are nothing less than an agent of possibility.

THE WILDERNESS IS TAMED

What begins as a glorious mystery, wide stretches of forest and fauna, gets defined and discovered pretty quickly. Songs are sung, stories told, hands held, sights seen, breath caught, weight lost (you certainly don’t have be an athlete to sign up for KidneyMarch but you’ll feel like one by the end), cheers led, and pictures taken by the thousands — all in the name of turning the wilderness of kidney disease, the areas of our consciousness dark with ignorance, into a domesticated map of the attainable.

3 DAYS • 100KM • K-COUNTRY TO CALGARY • SEPTEMBER, FIRST WEEKEND AFTER LABOUR DAY

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THE LIFE YOU TRANSFORM MAY BE YOUR OWN

Our top priority is also the bottom line: to raise funds to improve the quality of life for Canadians who have been felled (at least temporarily) or are followed by the threat of kidney-debilitating illnesses. When you commit not to fail a loved one, friend, or the cause itself, you pledge yourself to more than a dramatic gesture. What really counts is the $2,200 minimum you raise.

Hesitant to “do the ask”? Don’t be. The sheer degree of your endeavour’s difficulty (coupled of course with the importance of the cause) will inspire your donors to part with their cash more happily than a hoodie on a summer day.

A UNITED FRONT: WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK

“Failure is not an option,” you say, using a non-so-secret password to the KidneyMarch club. Because once you register, you will discover a wellspring of support, compassion and encouragement: from your fellow Marchers, crew and volunteers, and from our KidneyMarch team. We will not fail you, that’s for sure. Not with a team of experienced fundraisers and training leaders at your beck and call on the long road to September. Not with a troop of dedicated volunteers on the route itself, staffing rest stops, a lunch stop, and every kilometre in-between. And not with the caring community that will form around you, almost unbidden, born of your passion for the cause.

OPENING & CLOSING CEREMONIES

INCREDIBLE CAMPING EXPERIENCE

PREMIUMS OF THE EXPERIENCE: ALL OPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE...

(EXCEPT FOR ONE)

BREATHTAKING ROUTE WITH FULL SUPPORT

HOT MEALS & COLD BEVERAGES

YOGA, HOT SHOWERS & THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

A LIFETIME OF BRAGGING RIGHTS

Clean, Fragrant Mountain Air Hot Dinners And Breakfasts Safety Crew, Every Millimeter Of The Route Medical Care, On Route Medical Care, In Camp Hot Showers The Experience Of: Having People Cheer You When You Just Walk Across The Street The Experience Of: Doing Something Huge For An Important Cause The Experience Of: The Great Outdoors The Experience Of: Offering A Gift To Someone You Love The Experience Of: Kindness, As You Never Imagined It Stirring Opening Ceremony Emotional Closing Ceremony A Fail-Safe Journey Camp Shows Volunteer Massage The Kidney Express (Support Vehicles, If You Get Tired) Event T-Shirt & Finisher’s Shirt Failure* * Failure is not an option

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REGISTER TODAY & GET THIS FREE TECH T-SHIRT

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P O S S I B I L I T Y. REGISTER TODAY! www.KidneyMarch.ca (866) 9 KMARCH (866) 956-2724 As soon as you register, you will receive everything you need to start fundraising and training right away.

Kidney Foundation The Kidney Foundation of Canada is people working together for a common cause.

EVERY KIDNEYMARCHER COUNTS. LET THE COUNTDOWN TO I’MPOSSIBILITY BEGIN, TODAY. SEPTEMBER, FIRST WEEKEND AFTER LABOUR DAY

We are volunteers, individuals living with kidney disease, donors, and staff members — from all walks of life, all across Canada. Since its creation in 1964, The Kidney Foundation has helped millions of Canadians suffering from kidney failure and related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

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3 DAYS • 100KM • CALGARY • SEPTEMBER, FIRST WEEKEND AFTER LABOUR DAY

www.KidneyMarch.ca (866) 9 KMARCH (866) 956-2724

Funding and stimulating innovative research Providing education and support Promoting access to quality healthcare; and Increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.

Charitable Registration No. 10756 7398 RR0001

I’mpossible is a registered trademark of Pallotta Teamworks

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photos: Paiwei Wei

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through: