Have you ever wondered how much your life would change if one of your most essential organs was failing?
Have you ever wondered how much of an effort it would take — just to get through the daily functions of life — if your body was constantly battling to survive?
Thousands of British Columbians know.
They live with the reality of kidney disease every day. They attend numerous specialist appointments. They receive constant monitoring and tests. Some undergo regular dialysis to keep them alive. Many wait for organ transplants.
It can take up to 10 years for a patient to receive a new kidney.
But, there is hope. Through cadaver organ donation and living organ donor programs, lives can be changed overnight.
This hope requires participation in the organ donation process.
Recently, as many as 85% of BC residents surveyed said they were in favour of organ donation — but only 17% have been registered as donors. There is a huge gap between those who intend to register for donation — and those who are actually registered.
In an effort to increase awareness, the Kidney Foundation of BC hosts an annual Kidney Walk in various communities.
The 2011 Kidney Walk: A Walk to Close the Gap will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2011 in Penticton, BC. Registration takes place at 8:30 a.m. at Gyro Park, with the walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event will feature a 2.5 kilometre walk or 5 kilometre fun run.
Prizes, draws and silent auction items will be on hand.
The Kidney Walk is sponsored locally by Kemp Harvey Kemp Inc., which is a Certified General Accountant (CGA) firm with offices in Penticton and Osoyoos, BC. Other sponsors include Global TV, Ocean Spray and Bellingham’s MeTV KVOS Station.
If you would like to get more information, volunteer, participate or donate, please contact Terry Craig at Kemp Harvey Kemp 250-495-3223 or e-mail [email protected]. Please visit the Kidney Foundation website at www.kidney.ca.