In-person Kidney Walk back in Red Deer this Saturday after 12 years

Back in July, the BIG 105 Chili Cook Off raised $1,600 for the foundation. In August, Cilantro and Chive’s Burger of the Month, The Dirty Caesar Burger, in collaboration with guest chef and Executive Director of Tourism Red Deer, Rene Rondeau, raised over $1,346 for the foundation.

So far, Red Deer has raised $3,500 for the Kidney Walk. The goal for the foundation’s Northern Alberta and Territories branch is $200,000.

As there is no cure for kidney disease, out of pocket costs for treatment like dialysis can be 12.5 per cent of a patient’s income, according to the Kidney Foundation.

“When you have kidney disease, you may go to dialysis but because your blood has not been cleaned, you’re tired and sick before you go,” said Wade.

“You have a short amount of time that you feel well and great and then you start feeling awful again. You are on dialysis minimum three times a week for four to five hours so it takes your whole entire life, free time,” she says, “which is mentally and physically draining.”

Although a kidney transplant from a live donor is the best option to stop dialysis treatment, says Wade, it is not easy.

“The work up to make sure everybody is a match is about a year and some people can wait up to four or five years to get a kidney if they don’t find a living donor,” she said.

The funds raised by the branch will remain in the branch area, Wade says, for the various programs they offer including financial assistance in transportation access, nephrologist prescribed medications, funding for specific needs to each client like utilities, medical equipment, and gas cards and various other initiatives.

In 2021, the branch says they were able to help:

881 patients access their Short Term Financial Assistance program
202 patients receive their Home Hemodialysis Utility Grant (HUG) Funding
117 patients receive transportation funding to access medical services
46 donors access their Living Organ Donor Reimbursement Program
335 children attend their virtual Kidney Camp
2,800 education materials provided to patients, families, and donors

Registration is still open online for participants, with donations being accepted until the end of September. Donations of over $100 will receive an official Kidney Walk shirt and those raising over $1,000 will become “Kidney Walk Champions” with a free jacket and other prizes.

“I’m just really excited about this walk and I’m really excited about getting out because the weather is supposed to be fantastic,” said Wade. “Everybody has come out and made a difference.”

Alongside free food for participants provided by Save-on Foods, Dance Magic Studios will be performing and Deputy Mayor Bruce Buruma will be making an appearance. Registration before the walk begins at 11 a.m.

According to the Foundation, one in 10 Canadians has kidney disease with 46 per cent under the age of 65.

by Alessia Proietti

In-person Kidney Walk back in Red Deer this Saturday after 12 years

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