(Photos via Kidney Foundation of Canada)
The 2019 Stittsville Kidney Walk is again being hosted by the Stittsville United Church where the 7th annual walk will start and finish on Sunday, September 8th. The Church is located at Fernbank Road and Stittsville Main.
Registration will begin at 9:30 am — you can also sign-up to donate your organs to save a life. You never know when or under what circumstances an organ is needed and your gift could be integral to saving someone’s life.
At 10:00 everyone can head to the Church Sanctuary to celebrate and all the walkers will be welcomed followed by a few short speeches. Cera Gagnon will be providing the warm-up exercises prior to the start of the walk.
This is a great opportunity for local Stittsville businesses, organizations and families to form a team and participate while supporting a good cause. Whether you participate as an individual, on a team, donate to the cause or cheer the walkers on from the sidelines, your support is always appreciated. All ages are encouraged to participate. You could win some fun prizes! Registration is open and you can sign up at: www.kidneywalk.ca. Donations can be made on-line where you can add to your team or family’s fundraising objective.
Ruth Richardson, one of the organizers for the walk, said “this year, the Stittsville Kidney Walk organizers hope to raise over $10,000, surpassing donations of past years”.
Many Stittsville families have been touched by kidney disease over the years. The Church became the host for this walk in 2012 when a mother in their congregation required a kidney transplant. The Church Youth Group then got together and organized the walk for a few years. Currently it is a joint partnership between the Church and Kidney Foundation in organizing the walk and bringing awareness of kidney disease to the community.
Each year The Kidney Foundation of Canada hosts the Kidney Walk to raise awareness and funds to support the one in ten Canadians affected by kidney disease. Across Ontario in 2018, $900,000 was raised by over 3000 walkers who joined together in 35 communities to spread the awareness message about kidney health and organ donation. The money raised goes to support research and programs to help ease the burden of kidney disease for patients and their families.
After the Kidney Walk, you can enjoy Fun Day. This event is an ‘open house’ for Stittsville United Church — the place to BE — and a celebration of the forthcoming fall activities everyone can participate in. A free BBQ of hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks starts at noon. Lots of family activities are planned to keep everyone entertained — water games, a scavenger hunt and an inflatable obstacle course. ‘Divided Highway’ will also be playing live for the crowd. The Fun Day also gives you the opportunity to meet the new Spiritual Growth Directors — Julee Paulin and Eileen Masse — who will be the hosts for activities at the Church. Free Wi-Fi will be offered as well. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and feel free to bring salads, finger foods and desserts to share.
If you have any questions or want to know more about the Kidney Walk, please contact Marianne Graham, the Stittsville event contact, via email mgraham9801@gmail.com.
