Kidney March community wraps its arms around Ontario family

Why does Michelle MacKinnon fly across Canada every year to walk 100 kilometres over a three day weekend? She needs to do something big. Something really big. In honour of her son David. Because the very day of his kidney transplant, the very morning she was scheduled to give him her left kidney, David had a stroke and died from the complications of kidney disease. He was 18 years old.

It’s been six years since then. And Michelle has been doing the annual Kidney March in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta ever since. “Every person at Kidney March understands everything we have gone through – in a way that no one else can,” she says. “The March isn’t going to bring David back. But I do it with my son Andrew to honour David, and every other kidney patient in Canada.” Michelle lives in Niagra Falls, Ontario with her husband Dave, and 23-year-old Andrew. “That first year, I cried and cried, meeting all of those amazing people. It is absolutely beautiful there. Gorgeous scenery. Beautiful people,” she smiles.

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10 Tips For Walking In The Rain

1 – Wear a hat with a brim. It will keep the rain off your face, so you can see, even in a downpour.

2 – Dress in layers if it’s cold. The most important layer is the one closest to your body. Make sure it’s a technical fabric such as polypropylene or CoolMax, which wicks water and sweat away from your skin (no cotton). Stay dry, use an umbrella, poncho or raincoat.

3 – Be visible. Select outer layers that are very bright or light-colored and have reflective strips, since walking in the rain often means poor visibility.

4 – Prevent chafing. Chafing can happen during any long walk, but it can be much worse if you’re wet from the rain. Spread Body Glide or Vaseline on parts of your body where you would normally chafe or get blisters – such as your feet, inner thighs, or underarms.

5 – Protect your electronics from getting wet. Store electronics, such as your cell phone and iPod, in a Ziplock bag or a waterproof carrier.

6 – DON’T WALK DURING THUNDER STORMS! Keep your walk indoors if there are thunderstorms in the area. Training is not worth the risk of getting struck by lightning. Walk in the mall or other large venue like a hockey rink.

7 – See it as an opportunity to build your mental strength. Sometimes we do get a “little” rain during Kidney March, knowing what gear works to keep you dry and warm is a bonus! You’ll be ready to handle any challenge that comes your way.

8 – Watch your step. The road or path can be slippery. The key is to take small steps and really pay attention to your footing. Try to avoid stepping in puddles as much as you can. Your running shoes and feet will get wet from the rain, but they’ll get absolutely soaked if you step in a big puddle.

9 – Check your shoe grip. If the bottoms are worn flat those shoes will be slippery in the rain. Your shoes should have grooves on their soles that are deeper than one millimeter. These channels allow water to run through them and also help to get a better grip on the road.

10 – Dry out your shoes after. When you get back from a wet walk, take off your running shoes and stuff them with crumpled balls of newspaper. This helps the shoes keep their shape, and the paper draws moisture away from the shoes. Don’t put them in the dryer or in front of a heater – that can shrink them or warp them so they won’t fit you properly.