Kidney Walk returns to Canatara Park to support 48 local dialysis patients

The Sarnia-Lambton Kidney Walk returns to Canatara Park on Sunday, Sept. 27. Organizers are asking residents to walk, donate or sponsor the event in support of local patients and kidney research.

The Sarnia-Lambton Kidney Walk takes place Sunday, Sept. 27 at Canatara Park, bringing patients, caregivers, health-care workers and community supporters together for the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s signature fundraiser for kidney disease.

The walk supports people living with kidney disease, dialysis patients, transplant recipients and their families. Organizers are calling on residents to register as individuals or teams, donate to a participant, or encourage local businesses to sponsor the event.

Kidney disease is a daily reality for local families. Organizers say there are currently 48 kidney dialysis patients receiving treatment through the renal unit at Bluewater Health, each supported by a network of family and caregivers.

Funds raised through the walk go toward kidney research, patient education, advocacy and support programs for people affected by kidney disease. The Kidney Foundation of Canada says its work helps provide hope and support for Canadians navigating kidney disease and transplantation.

Organizers are also seeking event sponsors and community partners. They say sponsorships and donations help offset the cost of hosting the walk, leaving more of the money raised to go directly to patient and foundation programs, and give local businesses a chance to show community leadership while supporting a cause with a direct impact on Sarnia-Lambton families.

Residents can take part in several ways:

• Register as an individual walker or form a team with friends, family, coworkers or a workplace
• Support a participant with a donation
• Encourage a local business to become a sponsor

Register or donate at kidneywalk.ca. The Sarnia-Lambton chapter can be reached through the foundation’s local office. The Journal covered last year’s walk here.