Congratulations and THANK YOU!

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Kidney March 2020 Family!

You continued the fight against kidney disease and for organ donation no matter what 2020 brought our way. Your determination and commitment to make a difference in the lives of kidney patients and their families is heroic. It is because of you that Kidney March 2020 has exceeded every expectation we had. Thank you!

Together we put kidney disease and organ donation on the map in the biggest way possible. Nothing stopped us, not even a pandemic, from fulfilling our commitment to improve the lives of those living courageously with kidney disease. Your unwavering dedication resulted in Kidney March 2020 raising $1,002,065 to fund lifesaving research, improve patient outcomes, support patient programs and organ donation initiatives – and the donations are still coming in! Share your Kidney March achievement loud and proud. This is the second highest amount ever raised in Kidney March history!

The impact you have made and the relationships we have formed go far beyond the Kidney March weekend. We welcomed 205 new heroes to the Kidney March family this year, and we will continue to celebrate our community of support all year long. Stay connected to your Kidney March family on our social pages, @KidneyMarch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Join the Kidney March Training Walks Group, Kidney March Crew Group and Strava Club.

Save the date for the Kidney March Alumni Reunion on Saturday, October 24. We will unveil the Kidney March 2020 video and celebrate everyone who made this year outstanding – Marchers, Crew, volunteers, donors, sponsors and loved ones.

Register for Kidney March 2021 before December 1, 2020, to be a Trailblazer! As a Trailblazer, you pave the way for Kidney March 2021 and receive an exclusive Trailblazer item.

Whatever 2021 brings, we are excited to make Kidney March another amazing experience. Click here to register for Kidney March 2021 today!

From the Kidney March team and all those living with kidney disease, thank you for being a hero in the face of adversity. Together we are changing lives, and we could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Joyce Van Deurzen, Executive Director
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan Branch

 

Day Three Our Final Day of Kidney March 2020

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We are on Day Three, the finish line is near, and it’s almost time to celebrate the incredible achievement that is Kidney March!

Watch this morning’s send off from Joyce Van Deurzen below:

• Open the “Day Three” box in your package! Discover your Kidney March finishing shirt, your badge of honour for the courageous decision you made to be a part of Kidney March 2020. Wear it with pride as you cross your finish line (and share your pictures and videos with us!).

• At 5:00 pm (MT) today, visit KidneyMarch.ca or our Facebook Page to watch our Closing Ceremony, the grand finale to our legendary weekend! Invite your family and friends to tune in as we showcase the dedication of all those involved in Kidney March 2020.

Please continue to share your journey with us by uploading pictures and videos to our form on the “Marcher Centre” login page. Tag us on all your social media posts @kidneyMarch and #KidneyMarch.

Day Two It’s Trivia Night!

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Welcome to Day Two see out morning message here!

From 4:00 – 5:00 pm (MT) today, join us on Zoom for Trivia & Kidney-O-Kee night. It’s all in good fun. We’re going to have some laughs and a good time! Participants check your email for the details!

At 9:00 am (MT) tomorrow, visit  KidneyMarch.ca to watch your final morning message from Joyce that will leave you inspired to cross the finish line!

Continue to share your journey with us by uploading pictures and videos to our form on KidneyMarch.ca under the “Marcher Centre” login page or by emailing them directly to erin.birbeck@kidney.ca.

It’s Day ONE!

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Thank you for joining us for our Opening Ceremony, If you missed it, watch it here below:

Day One Reminders

• At 4 pm (MT) today visit the home page KidneyMarch.ca  or  the Video Gallery to watch our Special end-of-day message from Laura.

• Sticking to Kidney March tradition, tonight is onesie night! Get cozy, and let’s see your onesies.

• Make your Kidney March Camp! Tent in your backyard, build a fort in your living room, set the camping mood and have fun with it. Click here for Mattmay Homes’ at home camp inspiration.

• At 9:00 am (MT) tomorrow, listen on KidneyMarch.ca to the morning kick-off message to send you on your way for Day 2!

Please continue to share your journey with us by uploading pictures and videos to our form on “Marcher Centre” login page. Also don’t forget to tag us @kidneyMarch #KidneyMarch on all your social posts!

Happy Onesie Night From team, KC & The Polycystas!

 

 

Kicking things off tomorrow – Day Zero!

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Kidney March is officially upon us, and we are buzzing with excitement! Tomorrow is Day Zero, the day to prepare for your weekend ahead.

What to do on Day Zero?

• Watch the Day Zero video at 6 pm (MT) on our Home page KidneyMarch.ca. Hear from Joyce Van Deurzen as she reminisces on what Kidney March is all about and learn how to get the best experience out of your adventure. Listen to Dr. Nairne Scott-Douglas, Kidney March’s Medical Lead, give his pro advice on staying safe and healthy over the weekend.

• Refer to the “Weekend Agenda” included in your package to follow the weekend activities and watch the videos on KidneyMarch.ca.

• Pack for your weekend of walking! AESO, a team of valued Kidney March volunteers (they set up ALL of our tents last year, we love them!), created a video to help you pack for each day’s journey. Thank you AESO!

Contact us with any questions.

Together we are putting kidney disease on the map like never before. Here’s to an incredible week ahead!

 

Thanks for the amazing support Mattamy Homes!

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Transform your home into a Kidney March Camp Oasis with the help of Mattamy! 

Kidney March welcomed Mattamy Homes to the Kidney March family three years ago and we can’t thank them enough for staying on board with us as a lead sponsor for 2020.  They’re also excited to provide some virtual fun for our marchers this year.

In the past it’s been Mattamy’s gift to refresh all marchers and crew at the end of each day as our spa sponsor. In keeping with tradition, they wanted to support marchers by supplying a little ‘how to’ guide for your at home Kidney March camp and spa!  Follow this link for  Tips to set up your at home Kidney March Camp & Spa!

Mattamy has also sponsored many of the beautiful pathways here in Calgary and so they wanted to help by providing us with route suggestions through Strava for our marchers to safely walk during Kidney March. Here is the one of the routes so far! This 6 km (one-way) route takes you from the Carrington Greenway park south and then east along beautiful pathway and rolling prairie. Thank you Mattamy Homes staff member Joe Case for sharing this amazing route with us! Rotary Mattamy Greenway – Carrington Park

When Executive Assistant Colette Showers and the donations committee were looking for a new charitable opportunity to get involved in, they had no idea how many of their staff were directly affected or had a connection to kidney disease or organ transplant.

Don Barrineau, President of Mattamy Homes’ Calgary division, notes Mattamy has always had a deep interest in supporting the communities it does business in, particularly around health and wellness. When it comes to Kidney March and The Kidney Foundation of Canada he says, “everything we read about this charity shows the efficiency of the funds raised – the money really goes directly to the patients. All of the unsolicited comments we receive from customers and trades about the impact of this organization are overwhelmingly positive. We are very proud to continue our involvement!”

Learn more about Mattamy Homes at MattamyHomes.com 

 

Otsuka Continues their Kidney March Commitment

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For the 6th year in a row, Otsuka returns to support Kidney March as a Lead Sponsor.

On day one of Kidney March 2019, Otsuka employees were working hard to hand out lunch to all our hungry marchers and crew. André Mumme, Otsuka’s Manager of Stakeholder Relations, says supporting fundraising events like the Kidney March is an essential part of their organization. Even though there will not be lunch stops this year Otsuka is strongly committed to giving back and supporting all the communities they serve. “Otsuka employees share a unique and tireless passion to help enhance the health and quality of human life around the world.” Otsuka is also the national sponsor for the Kidney Walks Canada-wide. André himself feels a strong connection to the Kidney March and took on the 100 km challenge two years ago as a Marcher and many other Otsuka employees have marched the full 100 km over the years.

“Seldom in one’s career do you get to be part of something so powerful. I came to Kidney March thinking I was handing out a few sandwiches at a charity event and was blown away by the people I met — their struggles, people they have lost, and their dedication. Everyone was positive and smiling no matter their personal circumstances. There is nothing like Kidney March.”