Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

KIDNEY WALK

Annual Kidney Walk hopes to encourage more people to become organ donors

Jun 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the past 14 years, Kamloops has held its annual Kidney Walk — a nationwide community fundraiser to support the Kidney Foundation’s vital research and patient support programs. This year, the event took place and McDonald Park on Sunday (June 2).

According to B.C. Renal, the number of British Columbians with kidney disease is growing every year. This is due to the aging population and increasing rates of heart disease and diabetes. Some people are born with kidney disease and others develop it as they grow older.

“People know lots about cancer and other illnesses — heart disease. They don’t know much about kidney failure. And it’s to educate people. I think this is very, very important,” said Linda Bonner-Brown, a volunteer with the Kidney Foundation.

“I’ve been doing this for 11 years. This is actually my 11th walk. I had a kidney transplant in 2013 from my friend as a living donor, so I just want to be able to help people who need the same help I got,” Dorothy Drinnan told CFJC Today.

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“For the donor end of it, without them we don’t have life, right? Well, we have life, but not what we’re used to. The kidney people, they take very good care of you to keep you going. But, with the donors, it’s just something special. There are no words to say ‘thank you’,” added Harold Oliver, a kidney recipient.

The goal of the event is to encourage people to become organ donors.

“People can live very easily with just one kidney. We were given two, but we can get by just fine with one. If you can [donate], that could probably save someone’s life,” explained Hugh McLennan, another kidney recipient who joined the walk.

“I only have one kidney. I lost one in an accident. You can live with one kidney. I’ve been doing it for 40-some years,” told Gerri Moonuy, an advocate for organ donations.

“I think everybody who is able to receive a kidney would be wonderful for them. Just put your name on a donor list somewhere and help somebody else,” encouraged Debbie Harris, who was walking for her husband, who currently has kidney disease.

And it surely makes a difference.

“You don’t realize how good you feel until you have the kidney transplant. You think you may be doing okay, but there’s no comparison,” said Linda Oliver, who was walking with her husband Harold.

“My kidney function when I went in was eight per cent. The next day, after surgery, it was 72 per cent. And it still runs right around that now. And gives you a lot more energy — and color, which is sort of nice,” added Harold.

“If you have two good kidneys, you can easily give one away. My friend, she gave her kidney away 11 years ago, and she is the healthiest person on this planet. It’s not going to affect your health at all. You know, it’s a good way to share. Share what you got.” advised Dorothy.