Importance of organ donations stressed ahead of 2019 Kidney Walk

For those waiting for a life-saving kidney donation, the importance of events like the Kidney Walk has increased significantly.

“I think people need to realize that kidney disease is everywhere and so many people have it and are dealing with it in different ways, and when they come to a walk like this they can find out other people are in the same situation that they are and maybe they can get a little bit of comfort from that,” said Dorothy Drinnan.

Drinnan received a kidney transplant six years ago. She and her husband Gregg are very involved in organizing the annual walk.

“We usually end up with 100-150 people,” Gregg said. “I know last year, and this year again, the Brock Central Lions Club will be there cooking up a breakfast. Last year they served just over 100 breakfasts. I would hope that we get in the same area and that people just come and have fun and maybe more friendships are made.”

Money raised from the Kidney Walk supports kidney disease patients like Freda Brown. Brown lost one of her kidneys to the disease in 2007 and is currently receiving dialysis several times a week.

“The dialysis has been wonderful,” she said. “Anybody who has to have it, don’t fight it. I did until the last minute and I wish I hadn’t.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

Freda’s husband, Howard, had hoped he would be able to donate a kidney to his wife, but after months of testing, a kidney stone made him ineligible.

Despite the bad news, Freda is staying positive, believing she will find a donor.

“It doesn’t do any good to think negatively of other things and think things are going to go wrong,” she said. “You just have to go with the flow.”

Howard hopes to have the kidney stone removed quickly and get back on the donor list, whether for Freda or for someone else in need.

“So, I’m not finished,” Howard said, “but I really urge people, it’s been nine months of testing to get me to this stage and who knows how long it’s going to take to get this next procedure, so if you’re thinking of it, don’t wait until the need is there, get tested ahead of time.”

More than $20,000 was raised for research projects and patient services at last year’s Kidney Walk and organizers expect to do it again.

“I do know that we have a goal this year $20,00 and it looks like Kamloops will meet that goal,” Dorothy Drinnan said.

The Kidney Walk will take place at McDonald Park on Sunday. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11.

HERE IS HOW THE WALK WENT:

by Jill Sperling

Importance of organ donations stressed ahead of 2019 Kidney Walk

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