Kidney walk to run solo

People walking to raise money for kidney research will do so this year without gathering in groups.

Participants in the annual Kidney Walk, set for June 7, are asked to walk around their own block rather than meet fellow participants for a hike in a park or on a trail.

“Kidney patients need us no more than ever. There is no other way,” says Pia Schindler of the BC and Yukon branch of the Kidney Foundation.

Kidney Walks have been held for the past 13 years. The new approach this year, of course, has been implemented because of restrictions against large gatherings due to COVID-19.

Honorary walk chairperson, Elliot Rose, developed kidney disease while in university.

Rose received a kidney from an uncle who was willing to be a living donor.

“Now, I passionately do all I can to support the cause of kidney health,” Rose says. “The incredible work the Kidney Foundation does is why I’m so honoured to be taking part.”

Participants are encouraged to post videos of their walk on the Kidney Foundation’s pages on Facebook and Youtube.

For more information and to register as a participant, see kidneywalk.ca.

The foundation provides support and services for people with kidney disease, and works to increase donation rates.

Last year, hundreds of people gathered for the 2019 Kelowna Kidney Walk in Boyce-Gyro Park.

About one in 10 Canadians will experience kidney disease at some point in their lives, the foundation says. The disease has no cure and is often underrecognized and undetectable in its early stages.