Kidney Friends

MEDIA RELEASE
October 10, 2008


The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch launches its first
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE WALK
taking place in communities across BC
Join us and help raise awareness of the importance of Organ Donation.
Walkers of all speeds and abilities (fast or slow, on foot or in wheelchairs) join us for a fun-filled afternoon that will include entertainment, refreshments, prizes and the opportunity to sign up to be an organ donor.
• Walk in either the Penticton or Kelowna Event
• Join our Virtual Walk if you can’t make the events
• Create at Team of Walkers (friends, classmates, or co-workers, neighbors etc)
• Sponsor a walker or team
• Sign-up to be an Organ Donor …or get info on living donor transplants
• Volunteer to help during the event
• Business sponsorship opportunities are still available.

November 16, 2008 OKANAGAN EVENT DETAILS
Length You decided according to your ability (1-3 km or 15min-90 min)
City PENTICTON KELOWNA
Where Gyro Park Downtown KSS School – Raymer Road
When 1:00pm – 4:00pm 11:00am – 3:00pm
More Info 250-462-1295 250-763-8070
Email Okanagan@kidney.bc.ca

Online Register to walk or make a pledge at http://www.kidney.bc.ca

“In British Columbia over one quarter of a million people either have Chronic Kidney Disease, or are at risk of developing it… and their numbers are mounting rapidly,” says Ken Merkley, the volunteer president of the Kidney Foundation’s BC Branch. “Our goal is to help improve lives of all people affected by kidney disease, help prevent the growth of this incurable disease and promote organ donation.”
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch is a not-for-profit organization that helps to improve the lives of all people affected by kidney disease. Funds raised provide education and support; increase public awareness of prevention, and organ donation; as well as ongoing research that provide the “ultimate” patient service of improved treatment options.

Released by: Corrie Corfield, Walk Coordinator, 250-462-1295, cmcorfield@shaw.ca

yes! Abbotsford and Surrey too have their walk
on the 16 of Nov.
I need to register.

sunshine Wrote:yes! Abbotsford and Surrey too have their walk
on the 16 of Nov.
I need to register.

get registerd Doris so I can keep track of ya lol

girlfriend Wrote:

sunshine Wrote:yes! Abbotsford and Surrey too have their walk
on the 16 of Nov.
I need to register.

get registerd Doris so I can keep track of ya lol

Yeah I will, I'm going to see if I can get a couple of my girlfriends
to come along with me.

on second thought gf... how about I jump on the back on that
bike of yours, we can both dress up as a kidney

(10-23-2008 03:18 PM)sunshine Wrote: [ -> ]on second thought gf... how about I jump on the back on that
bike of yours, we can both dress up as a kidney

ewwwwwwwwwwwe not to sure I would look good as a kidney, but wouldn't that look great? two kidneys riding around on a motorcycle lol lol .... make heads turn for sure lol

(10-24-2008 04:09 PM)girlfriend Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-23-2008 03:18 PM)sunshine Wrote: [ -> ]on second thought gf... how about I jump on the back on that
bike of yours, we can both dress up as a kidney

ewwwwwwwwwwwe not to sure I would look good as a kidney, but wouldn't that look great? two kidneys riding around on a motorcycle lol lol .... make heads turn for sure lol

or I could dress up as a dialysis machine lol

By Mark Brett - Penticton Western News

Published: November 18, 2008 6:00 PM Kidney transplant recipient one of the participants in Give the Gift of Life walk

Ten years ago Annick Lim got a life.

Born with a defect which severely impacted her kidneys and required numerous operations, Lim was in her early 20s when she received the donor organ from her father.

“I’m 33 now and it’s made an incredible difference in my life,” said Lim, one of the participants in Sunday’s inaugural Kidney Foundation of Canada Give the Gift of Life walk.

“At the time I didn’t know how sick I was but I only weighed 98 pounds the day of my transplant and I was to the point where I couldn’t taste anything.

“I had to take four-hour naps every day and finally I had to be laid off work just because I was too exhausted to do my job.

“When I was to get my transplant there was really no fear because it couldn’t get much worse than it was. Really, I guess it was kind of exciting — truly, I’ve had so many surgeries in my life that I wasn’t scared at all.”

What really surprised her was just how much and how quickly things changed in her life after receiving the new kidney.

“Within an hour of getting my transplant my taste buds came back,” she said. “The first thing I said when I came out of the transplant was that I want a Pepsi and a hamburger and a pizza. It was amazing. It was instant.”

Along with her weight gain came a significant increase in her energy levels to the point where she could no longer sleep during the day and had to get back to work to relieve the boredom.

However, even prior to her operation, Lim was much better off than some other people who suffer from kidney problems, especially those requiring dialysis to cleanse their blood.

That procedure, usually done at a medical facility, can take anywhere from three to five hours and may be required as often as three times a week.

Jennifer Parry has seen the impact of that sentence first hand.

“My father-in-law is being healed of kidney failure and he’s been on dialysis for a long time, it’s not nice,” she said. “It’s difficult on the whole family because you see a loved one who is in pain and it just affects your whole life and everybody who knows you, so that’s why I’m here.”

Both women agreed fundraising events such as the walk are crucial in supporting the national foundation which does so much for those suffering kidney-related problems.

“I haven’t had any problems so far but transplants don’t last forever — what we really need is a cure for these problems,” said Lim.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

It really is amazing how quickly one can bounce back
in a matter of hours after a transplant, and to add, to see
colour come back to the face is incredible too.

In Penticton, we reached our goal. and I made my personel goal as well... I don't think we hit the mark for all of British Columbia though.. Will have to check on that one...