Kidney March Patient Program – Pedal Power

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Throughout dialysis units across southern Alberta, dialysis patients are participating in their own Kidney March. Challenged to complete 100 kilometres of activity, patients pedal on specialized bikes that are pushed up to the dialysis chair. So far Jake, pictured above, has cycled 500 kms en route to his goal of 800 kms by September 7th. Being active while dialyzing is shown to clear more toxins from the blood and we applaud Jake and all our participants! In addition to getting several other benefits derived from leading a more active lifestyle, these participants are also raising funds for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Jake is in the top five of our individual fundraisers for Kidney March.

You may have the opportunity to meet some of the Patient Program participants during the closing ceremonies. These individuals are not walking beside you in Kidney March but they are with us every step of the way.

Marcher #3 - Jake

The Marcher – January 2014

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 We invite you to make 2014 a game changer with us

We’re on the brink of a monumental year. We can feel it. Wow. We are over halfway through the first month of the new year. NOW is definitely the time to take a quick moment to stop, check ourselves and ensure we are well aligned on the path to a wonderful, incredible 2014. Not there yet? No problem. Refocus, readjust and get going in the direction you know you want to be.

You can view this edition of The Marcher in its entirety here.

Click here to read more.

KIDNEY MARCH CHECKLIST: WHAT TO BRING

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Below you’ll find a suggested list of what to bring with you for your weekend blazing the trail in the fight against kidney disease and the appeal for organ donation. If you have any questions while you’re digging into the list, feel free to give the Team a shout at any time.

A NOTE ABOUT YOUR LUGGAGE:You will be allowed one gear bag weighing up to 18 kg, including the weight of your sleeping bag and any pad or air mattress you wish to bring for sleeping. Pads and air mattresses should be packed inside or securely fastened to your gear bag. Pack lightly and efficiently. We recommend a large backpack or duffel bag, not a suitcase. Be sure to pack your clothing and sleeping bag in plastic in case of rain. Remember, you’ll be carrying this from your tent to the gear trucks. Please be certain your belongings are carefully labeled with your name and phone number.

Equipment

o Running Shoes.* Preferably two pairs of worn-in shoes you have been alternately training in.

o Water bottle*

o Sunscreen*

o Waist pack, or light backpack

o Wrist Watch

o Special prescription medications

o Anti-blister aids

o Petroleum jelly or Body Glide

Apparel

o Kidney March T-Shirt*

o Kidney March Name Tag*

o Socks*

o Rain poncho

o Wind-breaker jacket

o Shorts

o Long pants

o Shirts

o Sweaters

o Underwear

o Sleepwear

o Hat/Cap/Visor

o Sweatband

Gear at Camp

o Towels*

o Sleeping bag*

o Flashlight and extra batteries*

o Roll or pad for tent floor

o Pillow

Miscellaneous Items

o Disposable plastic bags

o Small plastic bags for toiletries

o Washcloths

o Toothpaste & toothbrush

o Moisturizer

o Nail clippers

o Shampoo

o Soap

o Razor

o Small mirror

o Deodorant

o Hair ties

o Sunglasses

o Earplugs

o Camera

o Spare Roll of Toilet Tissue

o Writing Journal

o Pens

o Identification

o Credit cards

o Money

o Alarm Clock battery operated

o Cellular Phone (not for use while walking)

Quick note: Items indicated with an (*) are required. images-1

Become a Hero In Training

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There’s eight weeks until Kidney March! It’s time to kick our training into high gear.

Kidney March certainly isn’t a cake walk. But there’s motivation in our mission. Kidney disease can’t be stopped. People are waiting for transplants. The 100 kilometres and $2,200 we raise is nothing compared to the day-to-day battle of kidney disease.

However, when it comes to training, the brain can play tricks on us. It takes a lot of mental strength to go from the first lonely training walk of the winter months to game time shape! But fear not. We, along with the rest of your fellow Kidney March fans, are here to support you with our scheduled training walks.

And, just so you know, you do not have to be a marcher to do these training walks. These are come one, come all events. Sure, we’d love for you to jump on board for a heroic trek through the foothills of the rockies with hundreds of like minded marchers (side note: register here). But we’re just as happy to have you make a few friends and keep your kidneys running in tip-top shape. You can check out all of our upcoming walks and FYI (For Your Inspiration!!) sessions here.

A Kidney March Training Success Story

Laurel Ryan works with children suffering from kidney disease.

Laurel RyanAs a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Nephrology Program, she sees the effects of this disease every single day. Last year, she wanted to do something big to fight the disease. Something that would challenge her. The Kidney March fit the bill, and she took a leap.

What she found was a “spa for the soul”.

It started with training. The YMCA led walks were a perfect way to meet other marchers and keep her eyes on the finish line. Her leg muscles got stronger and grew accustomed to walking long distances. Her feet toughened up. All that movement and calorie burning helped her get down to her “marching weight”.

Laurel Ryan

Marching on behalf of the children every day was inspiring. 100 kilometres was an accomplishment, and she’s developed lifelong friends and a workout habit that’s been life changing. She’s become a 2nd year marcher, and considers it a privilege.

Interested in attending your own
“spa for the soul”?

Registration is open, and our support team is here to answer any questions you may have. Register today! We’ll help you get started.

Not from the Calgary area? Call our support team at 1-866-9KMARCH and we’ll help you plan your personal training program and connect you with other marchers in your area. We have marchers registered from coast to coast.

KM Activities for the week of July 16th, 2013

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There’s lots on the go on the Kidney March front this week; training walks, fundraisers and FYI (For Your Inspiration!) Sessions all over the province. Sure hope you can join us for one near you. Feel free to share with family/friends! All events are open to absolutely everyone.

Tuesday, July 16th @ 7p – FYI Session at the Kidney Foundation office in Calgary (6007 1A Street SW). Grab some inspiration, find out all the details of Kidney March 2013, chat training and fundraising with the Kidney March team and meet other Marchers, Crew and Alumni. Registered or thinking about it? Come down and check out all you need to know about your adventure of a lifetime.

Tuesday, July 16th @ 6:30p – 5K Training Walk at Henderson Lake in Lethbridge. Meet at the Main Concession.

Wednesday, July 17th @ 6:30p – 6.5K Training Walk at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat. Meet at the concession (the first lake with the beach).

Saturday, July 20th & Sunday, July 21st – Kidney March Team UR in over UR head are hosting a garage sale fundraiser in Calgary at 608 Seymour Avenue SW from 8a-4p both days. They’re also accepting donations this week to the sale so if you have anything you’d like to contribute, feel welcome to contact Jenn Watson at: atsjenn@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 20th – Kidney March Team, Team Christina are hosting a BBQ & Bottle Drive from 10a – 4p at the Wal-Mart in Medicine Hat.

Saturday, July 20th – Kidney March Training Walk at 9:30a – 15K at Edworthy Park, 5050 Spruce Drive S.W.

Hope to see you there. You don’t have to RSVP, but we’d love it if you did: info@kidneymarch.ca or 1.866.9KMARCH

Want to rock a KM iPod shuffle? Here’s how.

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Have we got a challenge for you! Put your fundraising efforts into high gear over the next two weeks and you could be rewarded with a red Kidney March iPod shuffle.

The March is on! The first 50 Marchers and Crew to add $600 to their Kidney March fundraising account from May 1st – May 25th, 2013, regardless of current fundraising balance, will receive a customized, Kidney March inspired iPod shuffle.

You can do this. Not sure how?

Approach every local business you frequent with a donation form.

Recruit 10 friends to pass on your fundraising pitch to their email address books.

Send emails from your Kidney March profile to everyone in your address book.

Good luck! As always, call us at 1-866-956-2724 if you have questions or need support.

Remember, Failure is not an option.

Note: Donations must be credited to your account, either via the online or mailed donation form, between 12:00 a.m. MT May 1st, 2013 and 11:59 p.m. MT May 25th, 2013. Only the first 50 Kidney Marchers who add $600 to their fundraising account in that time frame will receive a Kidney March iPod nano.

Remember that processing mailed donation forms can take up to 2 weeks and we cannot allow extra time for mailed donations to be received and processed.

The fastest way to get credit for the donations you raise is through your online profile.

Many thanks to you and your generous sponsors for the support of Kidney March! We couldn’t do this without you.

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Kidney March Expo is just around the bend

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Kidney March 2013 is upon us! That means, it’s Expo time. It’s a little taste of adventure and heroism (for our fellow passionate fans of the hardest working organ) to kick off the 2013 Kidney March season.

To our new Marchers (or those thinking about it but leaning a bit towards yes), Welcome. We can’t wait to meet you in person!

And to our returning Alumni, our Kidney March Family. Welcome back. We’re delighted to see you again. And, honored that you have decided to once again step up to the plate and raise the boldest flag humanity has ever seen in the fight against kidney disease and the appeal for organ donation.

For those new to Kidney March and not sure what to expect, the Expo is a can’t miss afternoon chock-full of “how to’s, what now’s, and when should I’s”. Have questions about training? We can help you get ready for this. It’s our specialty. Wondering if you’ll hit your fundraising goals? We’ll turn you into a fundraising machine, we promise. Wondering where you’ll sleep? We’ll introduce you to our 5-star accommodations under the stars.

Expo Details:

Date: Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Where: Fort Calgary
, 750 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB
FYI Session – 11:00a-12:00p
Kidney March Expo – 12:00p – 2:00p
Kidney March 5K Training Walk – 2:00p – 3:00p

We can promise you that at both the Expo and at Kidney March, you will be in the company of the most inspiring folks on the planet. These heroes, who all have their very own story of why they are standing up and making noise for Kidney March are the inspiration that fuels Kidney March, the largest walk of it’s kind in Canada. And, we’d love it if you joined us. Feel free to bring a friend (or two). Because the only thing that sweetens the beauty of this journey of a lifetime is sharing it with a loved one. Or a team of loved ones.

Drop in’s for the Expo are very, very welcome but if you could RSVP, we’d sure appreciate it.

W: www.kidneymarch.ca

E: info@kidneymarch.ca

T: 1.866.9KMARCH

M: www.meetup.com/kidney-march

Looking for a fun way to thank your Kidney March sponsors?

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First Time Kidney Marcher & Fundraising Rockstar, Kelsey, goes to YouTube to give her sponsors her appreciation for their support in a very fun way. Click here to read more.

Oppa Marcher Style!

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Heeeeeeyyyy, Kidney Marchers….

It’s about that time. And, we miss you already. Kidney March 2012 was an ENORMOUS SUCCESS. We Crewed. We Marched. We Conquered. Now, let’s kick back, catch up and celebrate Kidney Marcher Style.

The 3rd Annual Kidney March Alumni Celebration is just around the corner!

Click here to read more.

Sure fire ways to keep your Kidney Marching Tootsies in Tip Top Shape

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Hey Marchers!

We are gearing up for the 3rd Annual March and want to ensure we share along the need to knows for foot care your way to aid in your prep for the March. We’ve compiled some tips courtesy of Ward Stene, our On Route Medical Team Lead to share with you to put to the training test.

Today’s Lesson:

Friction = Heat (Hot spots). Hot Spots = Blisters. Blisters = Huge Bummer & Possible Medical Treatment

How to stay as far away from On Route Medical Treatment?

1. Train, train and train some more. You are going to be logging mega kilometers and mega awareness all weekend long with 30+ kilometers walked each day. The more pre-March kilometers you do, the better. See the Kidney March Training and Fundraising guide below for more info….

2. Toenails – Short and trim to avoid friction on the next door neighbor toes.

3. Got a hot spot? Apply moleskin before it becomes unruly.

4. Socks. Wear them. There’s mixed reviews on what works for whom. Some say 2 pairs to reduce the opportunity for the friction of shoe vs. toe instead of sock vs. sock. Inside Sock – Synthetic (nylon or rayon). Outside Sock –Cotton. Some say just 1 pair at a time is the best. Point is, train and find what works for you. Pre-March.

5. Many of our past Marchers have found putting Vaseline or equivalent all over their feet before applying socks helps reduce the friction between your feet and your sock, reducing the possibility of blisters.

6. Bring 2 Pairs of comfortable, broken in shoes. Try on your shoes with whichever sock combo you’ve decided to go with. Keep in mind, you will see some swelling in those toes after Marching the Kidney Trail so when shopping for your footwear, err on the side of big enough (aka, toes not rubbing against the toe).

See you on the route!