Transplant recipient eager to walk

The 2018 edition of the Kidney Walk was held on Jun. 10 in Yorkton.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate, honour, advocate and meet others right here in Yorkton. I encourage everyone to introduce yourself to the person who is standing next to you or the person beside you along your walk,” said Suzanna D’April, Community Development Coordinator at the Kidney Foundation.

D’April, herself a transplant recipient, told those gathered for the walk at Sacred Heart High School the event was important “Because it helps us to raise awareness and funds for life-saving kidney research, organ donation and programs for people with kidney disease.”

It is a case where kidney disease is serious, said D’April.

“Each day 15 people are told their kidneys have failed. It is life altering: impacting your health, emotional and financial well-being. Its impact on people and families is substantial. Often, it doesn’t get the level of attention it deserves. In 2016, 260 Canadians died while waiting for a transplant,” she said.

“This is not acceptable. Together we are, raising awareness and funds for life-saving kidney research, organ donation, and support programs for people with kidney disease.”

That is where the Kidney Foundation plays a role.

The Foundation “advocates for improving donation and hospital systems, and removing barriers to transplant. An important part of our role is advocacy with our government partners to optimize organ donation. The Saskatchewan Executive Director, Joyce Van Deurzen, recently met with officials in the provincial health ministry. We were thrilled to learn that Saskatchewan government has invested additional funding for donors, physicians and nurses. They will be champions within the health system for organ donation. An awesome investment and a big step towards more transplants,” said D’April.

And that is why the annual walk is important, said D’April.

“The money we raise here today will support transplant recipients and those still awaiting their gift of life,” she said.

D’April said it is also important to remember the importance of being an organ donor, said D’April.

“When we look around this morning, we see people living with kidney disease, transplant recipients, those awaiting a transplant, people who are very special to us who have donated the gift of life, and also donor families. Many would not be here without the others. These selfless acts have saved the lives of so many,” he said.

D’April said the money raised will be well-used.

“The funds we raise will benefit kidney patients and their families in Saskatchewan through our investment in leading each research, patient support programs and advocacy for organ donation,” she said.