You still have time to register for Gift of Life Walk

Kidney Foundation of Canada
News Release

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With two weeks to go, there is still time to register, to collect pledges, and to participate in the 3rd annual Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Give the Gift of Life Walk in North Bay on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Lee Park.

The walk presents an occasion for dialysis patients, organ transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, the medical and business communities and the general public to celebrate advances in kidney health and organ donation. The walk is an extraordinary grass-roots, locally based event set to unite 23 communities all across Ontario in September 2009. Funds raised from the walks allow the Foundation to support stimulating innovative research; provide education and support; promote access to high quality healthcare; and increase public awareness about kidney health and organ donation. Together we can make a real difference in the lives of kidney patients and those at risk of developing kidney disease.

“I am looking forward to the walk, which is less then 2 weeks away now,” local walk coordinator Andrew Hopkins said. “Registration is going well and I am optimistic that we can double last years participation and money for the Kidney Foundation.”

“This walk was started in North Bay three years ago because my family wanted to do something to honour my grandmother who passed away from kidney failure in 2005. It is because of her that I got involved in this cause and I hope that one day, there can be a cure for all those suffering from kidney disease, so no one has to go through seeing their loved ones suffer so much.”

Each participant is asked to commit to raise a minimum of $50 in pledges. Aim high! Did you know that the average walker raises over $200? Your fundraising efforts will be rewarded – receive a t-shirt, loot bag (while supplies last) and complimentary refreshments.

Registration for the North Bay walk will be commence at the Kiwanis Shelter at Lee Park at 8am, with the 4km walk along the Kate Pace Way beginning at 9am. There will be prizes for the top-3 who raise the most money and they are:
1. Best Western – One night stay with breakfast and dinner at Joso’s Restaurant
2. Holiday Inn Express – One night stay in a suite with breakfast
3. Travelodge - One night accommodation, continental breakfast and wireless Internet
There will also be draw prizes for those raising the minimum $50.

To participate in North Bay’s 3rd annual walk register online at www.kidney.on.ca/walk or call 476-3715 to collect a pledge form.

If you don’t want to walk but still wish to donate some money towards the walk, visit the North Bay site at kidney.on.ca/walk_locations and sponsor one of the walkers listed on the site.

Kidney Facts

- -Each day an average of 4 people in Ontario learn that their kidneys have failed. They find out that their survival depends on dialysis treatment or kidney transplant
- - Right now, there are more than 10,000 Ontarians under treatment for chronic kidney failure. There are also thousands more who suffer from other kidney related disorders such as urinary infections and kidney stones
- - Two of the main causes of kidney failure in new patients are diabetes and chronic high blood pressure
- There is evidence to suggest that individuals with less than 50% of kidney function are likely to need renal replacement therapy at some point
- - While there is no systematic collection of data on this group of patients, the Kidney Foundation has estimated that an additional 9,000 Ontarians are under the care of a nephrologist in an attempt to prevent or delay the onset of kidney failure
- - Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is described as kidney damage or reduced kidney function. There is evidence to suggest that individuals with less than 50% of kidney functions are likely to need renal replacement therapy at some point

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