The community of Williams Lake is rallying to host the Williams Lake Kidney walk later this month, the first annual event to go ahead since the wildfires started.
Jaime MacDonald is organizing the walk for the second year in a row and said there was much discussion about moving forward with the event, set for Sept. 24.
“The B.C Kidney Foundation was hesitant to have the walk this year for Williams Lake due the unfortunate fire season. It was a very hard decision to (make), but I think it would be great to get the community together for such a worthy cause,” MacDonald said.
If the number of volunteers willing to participate are any indication, MacDonald’s desire to host the walk will be matched by area residents wishing to participate.
“We were able to fill an entire volunteer list in one day.”
Being a part of the walk is personal for MacDonald.
“Kidney disease directly affects members of my family and of course many others in the community. A diagnosis of kidney disease changes everyone’s life – the person with the disease, their family, friends, co-workers,” she said. “Hosting the walk is a great way to help out and fundraise for the Kidney Foundation. Even if we don’t raise as much money, raising awareness (about kidney disease) still makes a huge contribution.”
MacDonald said the Kidney Walk is an opportunity for patients on dialysis, organ transplant recipients, their families, living donors, the medical community and the public to come together to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and organ donation. Currently, one in 10 Canadians live with kidney disease.
This year marks 10 years of walks for the BC Kidney Foundation
Last year more than $25,000 was raised at the Williams Lake Kidney Walk.
In addition to the walk, there will be an online Bid and Give with donations coming from local small businesses
Williams Lake is one of the top fundraisers in B.C. this year for the foundation, with Team Nash led by young Nash Overton being the top local fundraiser.
Registration for the walk opens at 9 a.m. with the walk going from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Sept. 24. Water and snacks will be available, and the event will go rain or shine.
