Kamloops Kidney Walk highlights organ donation, patient support and community awareness

After months of searching, the campaign was successful.

“We ran that Facebook campaign for five months or so before I was finally approved and had a match to get a living donor,” Firman said.

Today, Firman has returned to work and everyday activities following his transplant.

This Sunday (June 7), Ryan will once again take part in the Kidney Walk, an event that helped raise awareness during his own journey.

The annual fundraiser supports kidney patients, transplant recipients and those currently waiting for a donor. Organizers say more than 500 participants and 100 teams have already registered across B.C. and Yukon for this year’s event.

Susan Firman, Ryan’s mother, said the walk also helps shine a light on a disease that often goes unnoticed.

“It’s kind of a silent disease. When Ryan was going through it, to look at him you wouldn’t know he was sick,” she said.

Last year’s Susan Firman’s team in Kamloops drew about 60 participants and raised approximately $30,000 for the Kidney Walk.

While Ryan’s story ended with a successful transplant, many people in the community are still waiting.

“It’s not just me that’s looking. There are a lot of people in Kamloops that are actively looking for a kidney,” said local Kamloops resident Amanda Rogers, who still is in search of an organ donor.

Funds raised through the Kidney Walk are aimed to support patient services, advocacy efforts, educational programs and transplant-related accommodations. The Kidney Foundation of Canada says last year it invested $4.5 million into kidney research across the country.

“We encourage people to come out to be part of the Kidney Foundation community, to understand that they’re not alone in this journey,” said Dominique Ahadi with the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

For those still waiting for a donor, Amanda Rogers hopes the event can provide encouragement.

“Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. There’s someone out there for you. It’s just a matter of time.”

The Kamloops Kidney Walk takes place Sunday, June 7, at MacDonald Park from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.

by Jeremy Russo

Kamloops Kidney Walk highlights organ donation, patient support and community awareness

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