Marcher Stories

Thank you and congratulations Kidney March community!

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Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts Marchers, Crew, sponsors, volunteers, and all of the loved ones who supported our Kidney March journey. Kidney March was designed to bring us together in the fight against kidney disease, and there’s no doubt, mission accomplished!

Keep on sharing our inspiring stories of Marchers, Crew and donors on social media. Let’s spread the spirit of love and community far and wide. That’s what Kidney March is all about – keeping kidney disease and organ donation on the map!

Together, we raised over $940,000 and donations are still rolling in. Next year is an epic milestone – our 10th anniversary – and we want all of you there. Register now by clicking here KidneyMarch.ca

It is an honour and a whole lot of fun being in this wonderful Kidney March family. We are truly blessed.

100 ways, 100 days, 100 k’s

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Kidney March is giving away 100 ways to groove in the next 100 days ’til we march 100 k’s in Kidney March

Yes, seriously. We are now in the 100 day countdown. To which I say “there is still time”. Still time to train. Still time to fundraise. And still time to encourage friends and family to sign up. But the time is now!

And yes, seriously. We have 100 give aways to celebrate this awesome milestone in the countdown to Kidney March. As part of Kidney March’s partnership with Universal Music Canada, as the lead charity for their Juno after party, you can win free downloads from the GetMusic store.

Entering is easy… just comment on our 100 ways, 100 days, 100k’s post on facebook, twitter or intsagram. The first 50 people to do so will win 2 pins each. Our Kidney March team will contact you after the contest has closed and provide you with your pins and directions. Downloads are encouraged on a desktop so both Apple and Android users can participate. Then you can take your favourite tunes with you wherever you train for your 100k’s.

No bonus points, but we’d love it if you shared this contest on your favourite social media network. Kidney March is great because of its community, and the community is built by you.

All the best,

Laura

Kidney March Specialist

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch

6007 1A St SW Calgary AB T2H 0G5

laura.fleming@kidneyfoundation.ab.ca

403-255-6108 ext 34//1-866-9 KMARCH

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Sean’s mom is marching, in hopes no other family has to endure the pain and fear of kidney disease

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Shannon, a first time Marcher, thought her son was having an allergic reaction and took him to Alberta Children’s Hospital for treatment. After being seen, they were escorted into a consultation room and told Sean has a kidney disease called childhood nephrotic syndrome. He was just 3 years old. Shannon’s initial response was “No, my son is here for an allergic reaction, not kidney disease. You must have the wrong child.” Unfortunately, the fight against kidney disease is much harder than that, and for the next two years Sean battled heroically with daily urine dips and extremely high doses of prednisone. The required amount of prednisone caused Sean to become steroid dependent. Whenever doctors tried to take him off the drug his kidneys would respond by spilling protein into his urine. Without protein going into his bloodstream, as it should, his blood lacks enough oxygen needed by his cells and tissues to support their functions. That meant Shannon’s darling little boy had to undergo chemotherapy with weekly blood tests.

Now two years later, Sean is 7 and in remission. That sounds like cause for cheer, but, in truth, it is cause for worry. Sean’s doctor says his progress is brilliant however for true remission they look at a period of five years without relapse. Fear of relapse hangs heavy. In preparation for this possibility, Shannon has empowered Sean with age appropriate information about his care. Meaning this second grader is well aware that sodium and potassium are hard on his kidneys and, while tough, he picks food that is good for his body. In addition to protecting his kidneys, a good diet and lifestyle are vital for Sean because, as Shannon shares, “a cold or flu, which is usually an inconvenience for most kids and families, could send Sean back to ground zero, back to prednisone and chemotherapy.”

Shannon is doing everything she can to care for Sean, ensure he grows up with the healthiest kidneys possible, and prevent other families knowing the pain and fear of kidney disease. That is why Shannon is marching in Kidney March.

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Meet Brynn! Our amazing summer student, who also knows the hardships of kidney disease

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September 10 - Brynn 1It’s Day Zero! We wanted to introduce you to a new face on the 2015 Kidney March Team you’ll be seeing this weekend, Brynn. She is our AMAZING 2015 summer student who has been working hard all summer for the best weekend of the year, Kidney March. Brynn shares with us why working as part of Kidney March is so important to her and her connection to kidney disease.

For 22 years my Grandfather was on at-home dialysis while my Grandmother lovingly took care of him. Twelve or so years ago my Uncle had a kidney donated to him by a coworker. Three years ago this past June marks the date of my Father’s successful transplant. And six years ago, I too was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease.

The way this disease seems to affect my family, focuses on onset at a later age. For example, my kidneys look like the surface of a Sunday afternoon bubble bath under an ultrasound with all the cysts covering them, however their function is currently, miraculously fine. The same goes for my Father who was diagnosed at 21 years of age, and who didn’t really have to worry about watching the number of bananas he’d put in his smoothies until his mid to late forties.

Four years ago we really started to notice when things got worse and his kidneys started to fail. One month he would be working 12 hour days and going for long bike rides or jogs with me on the weekend, and the next he could only manage two hours of work before he had to leave his shop and come up for a nap. His kidneys were nearing less than 6% function and the amount of toxins in his blood made it extremely difficult for him to find the energy to do many things he would have previously done with ease. It was hard to see my vibrant, fun-loving, and gentle father slowly wither away. Even the classic ‘dad jokes’ were far and few between.

Eventually, while waiting for news of a transplant, he began dialysis. It wasn’t more than three times a week for four hours each time, but it was a schedule that was new to our family life, and something we all had to get used to. Despite the incredible support shown through a number of friends and family members who had stepped forward over the months to be tested as potential donors, including The Kidney March’s very own Marianne Janz (otherwise known as my wonderful Aunt), a direct match had yet to be found.

Six weeks after he began dialysis, my mother, who had initially been the first in line to get tested, decided to enter the paired exchange in hopes that it would give my dad a better chance at a kidney. With the paired exchange, two people enter in as partners, but do not have to be a match. One partner is a donor, and the other a receiver, paired together with other partners to create a large chain of transplants that fit people together like puzzle pieces. It is amazing technology, though can be incredibly unreliable if one person, for any reason, backs out at the last minute and breaks down the whole chain. After one potential chain ended up falling apart, another was built, and on June 20th 2012, both my parents went into surgery while my brothers and I waited nervously.

To say that the surgery was a success is an understatement. I was the first to visit him in the recovery room afterwards and once I saw that (still drugged up) grin coming out from under his beard, I knew my dad was back. To this day he still constantly jokes with my brothers that now that he has three kidneys, no one can ‘take him.’ Though turns it around just as quickly if he’s losing the wrestling match in an effort to ‘please save his one good kidney.’ The fun never stops.

Seeing the incredible support that my family and especially my parents have had for each other has not made me nervous about my future in the least. Research is expanding, technology is growing, and my older brother is a match with two healthy toxin-filters that he has already promised me one of for when the time comes. (Thanks Ben).

On top of this, I’ve had the pleasure of working as a part of The Kidney March family for what has been a most incredible summer. Through this opportunity I have met and am still meeting many amazingly inspirational people with stories of their own, each as unique and differentiated as the disease we walk for. Never have I ever had such a close, personal connection to the work I’ve done, nor felt so much like I was actually helping in making a difference. Thank you to The Kidney Foundation for all you’ve done for my family, thank you to The Kidney March for being my home away from home, and thank you to the people who are all walking together for one reason or another; we’re doing it together, in the same direction. ~Brynn

Susan, mother of 3, marches for her daughters’ future

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In September 2011, one year after undergoing my life-saving kidney transplant, I wrote the passages below about what motivated me to walk in Kidney March with my kidney donor (and sister-in-law) Marian Reich.

I am marching in the Kidney Walk to Calgary because

I believe research is hope. I believe in the power of research and in supporting a cause that makes a real difference in peoples lives.

Over the last 30 years, the Kidney Foundation of Canada has raised over $100M for research. That’s a huge number. Even more amazing is that it has been raised in communities across Canada by individuals like you and me — the families and friends of those affected by kidney disease. These passionate, determined people have held event after event, knocked on door after door,… year after year,… because they believed things could be better. They hoped that an investment in research would change things.

And it has. Research has led to improved quality of life, better dialysis methods, earlier detection and prevention, and for a lucky few, (13% of those diagnosed) a new lease on life through transplantation. If you don’t believe me, talk to your friendly neighbourhood nephrologist, he or she will tell you, as they have told me, what a difference the Kidney Foundation has made to advancing kidney research.

I am marching because

In 1977, Neil Everett McKenzie died in Toronto undergoing his 2nd failed kidney transplant. He was 55. He had been on peritoneal dialysis for what seemed to me to be a very long time. He wore a feather in his hat and always smelled clean. He took us for long drives through blue mountain and somehow made us feel like we were on a roller coaster. He teased and spoiled us horribly. He was a World War II Veteran and a determined man. He never gave up hope.

I am marching because

In 2006, Blaine Everett McKenzie died in Collingwood after a relatively short but painful battle with cancer of the kidney, liver and pancreas. He was 65. He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1972 and received a transplant in 1975 which kept him alive for 31 more years — allowing him to finish raising three young children who loved him more than life itself. Probably because of his training as a marine engineer, his hand writing was unusually precise and beautiful. His laugh was deep and sincere, like his faith, our countless philosophical discussions over tea, and the love he had for his family and friends. Like his determined scottish father, he never gave up hope, not even in the very last days.

I am marching because

In 2010, I was given the gift of a new life through living donor transplantation. There are no words to thank the many people who supported and strengthened me through this part of my life’s journey. There are no words to thank the person who risked her life so I could have another chance at mine, no words to thank the individuals, my friends, who went through exhaustive testing, preparing themselves to take a huge risk to help me. I won’t waste this chance. It is time to act. This walk, like many other things we may choose to do in our lives to make a difference, is a tangible act of determination and an act of hope. Like my stubborn grandfather and father, I will never give up hope. I guess it is in the genes. You have take the good with the bad 🙂

I am marching because

I have three beautiful daughters who depend on this life changing research continuing. Like the hundreds of thousands who may be profoundly affected by kidney disease in the next decade, directly or indirectly, research is their hope too.

Now fast forward to today. If my past and present wasn’t enough, this year, I have even more reason to be involved once again.

In September 2014, Alexandra Hope Smith was diagnosed with kidney disease. Despite a family history of the disease, it was still a shocking diagnosis for a healthy young woman with no symptoms and her whole life in front of her. Though she was rarely ever ill or even unhappy for that matter, I have a vivid picture in my mind of the wee tot who looked a lot like tweety bird squeezing her big blue eyes in utter fear whenever we rumbled over the unpaved part of the road that led to our home in the country. I remember how bad I felt when I saw that terrified look on her little face, so I drove faster to get off the road and take the fear away.

And now, twenty years later, I have that same raw feeling of helplessness as I struggle to figure out how I can help take away her fear as she navigates this scary but all too familiar path. This time, I can’t drive faster or reach into the back seat to hold her hand and make things better. This time, I can’t drive off the gravel road. All I can do is face this family kidney curse again — head on — this time with my kind and beautiful daughter. Of course, we’ll do what we have to do and there will be a few tears, but we won’t stop to dwell on it or allow it to derail any of Alex’s hopes and dreams. We will shore ourselves up, ask lots of questions, and we will find the answers together. Love you Allie Cat.

May 10 - Sue McKenzie

Team Christina’s fundraising was feautured in the Medicine Hat News!

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Source: Medicine Hat News – published July 22 2013, by Charles Lefebvre.

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Voula Douvis has a strong motivation to take part in the 2013 Kidney March this September.

“A year ago, my daughter Christina was diagnosed with kidney disease,” she said. “Our lives have changed quite a bit.”

Christina, who is 10-years-old is now on a number of medications which affect her in different ways, and the family has to make a number of trips to the children’s hospital for regular blood tests.

The diagnosis inspired Voula to form a team with Dawn Hunt, Sonita Goehring and Lisa Perich to participate in the Kidney March from September 6-8 in Kananaskis. Douvis was out on Saturday with her team in front of Wal-Mart, holding a fundraising barbecue to raise money for the foundation leading up to the march.

Click here to read more.

Kidney Marcher shares her story in the Shawnessy Newsletter!

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Source: Shawnee Evergreen – Published July, 2013 by Erin Birbeck.

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Most people diagnosed with kidney disease the news comes as a surprise. They had little awareness of kidney disease until forced with the diagnosis. For local Shawnessy resident Shannon Guyett, this is not the case. Several generations of Shannon’s family have been affected by kidney disease, and she knows all too well the burden it creates. Watching both her grandfather and father die from kidney disease, and then being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) herself, Shannon was determined to change the fate of her family. Unfortunately, the fight against kidney disease for Shannon’s family did not stop with her. At age 13 her daughter Alyssa was diagnosed with the same disease that has drastically altered Shannon’s life. Seeking to help her daughter adapt to a life with kidney disease, Shannon came to The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

When Shannon heard about the foundation’s annual Kidney March, there was nothing stopping her from taking on the challenge of walking 100 kilometers, in 3 days, from K- Country to Calgary.

Shannon explains, “When you go from having full kidney function and living life to the fullest, to finding out your kidneys are only functioning at 28%, it’s an eye opener. I can delay kidney failure but will not be able to stop it.”

Click here to read more.

Kidney Marcher’s fundraising is featured in the Lethbridge Herald!

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Source: Lethbridge Herald – Published June 29, 2013 by Simmons, Garrett.

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At the age of 25, living a healthy life, the last thing Kate expected was to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. However, when the former Lethbridge resident experienced severe headaches that would not go away, she was shocked to learn her kidneys function had dropped to an astounding 13%. Kidney disease usually starts silently and slowly, which is why it is often referred to as the silent killer. Most patients are treated on dialysis when their kidney function reaches 15%.

Two years later, thanks to dramatic lifestyle changes and medication, Kate’s kidneys are functioning at above 20%. Kate is grateful that on some days, she almost forgets that she has kidney disease. She is dedicated to living life to the fullest, knowing that sometime in the future the investable will happen, and she will need a kidney transplant.

Click here to read more.

Kidney March Siblings were recently featured in the Calgary Hearld!

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Source: Calgary Hearld Neighbours The Community Weekly – Published June 13, 2013 by Paula Trotter

Michelle and Jason Hofer erupt into laughter when asked if they have a close relationship. The two joke back and forth about not being able to choose our siblings before Jason tells Michelle that she’s stuck with him for a brother — and you get the sense that she is more than OK with that.

“You never think you’ll lose somebody and thankfully we haven’t lost Jason,” says Michelle, 29, the younger of the two. “Still, it’s hard.”

Jason suffers from kidney failure and is awaiting his chance at a second organ transplant. Both siblings were diagnosed with Alport syndrome, a hereditary kidney disease, when they were kids. Their mom also has Alport syndrome, but is in stable condition. The illness, however, started shutting down Jason’s kidneys when he was 16.

“It’s definitely not fair,” Michelle says of the disease that has left her with very minor symptoms to date, but has turned her brother’s life upside down. At 24, Jason suffered renal failure. He has been on dialysis for the past eight years and currently goes for dialysis three times a week, spending four hours hooked up to a machine that removes waste and excess fluid from his blood.

One of his uncles donated a kidney in 2006, but Jason’s body rejected it, despite a year’s effort to try to save the organ with trips to the hospital and medication.The drugs caused avascular necrosis, which killed the bone tissue in Jason’s hips and shoulders. At 27, he underwent his first hip replacement. His other hip was replaced a year later and his shoulder joint was replaced in between the surgeries on his hips.

“You only have two options:deal with it or don’t. And not dealing with it really isn’t much of an option,” he says.

Once a promising young hockey player, Jason, 31, now has to limit his physical activity in the hope of extending the lifespan of his artificial joints, which is why his doctor recommended that Jason not participate in the annual Kidney March this fall. So Michelle stepped up and will complete the three-day, 100-kilometre trek through Kananaskis to raise awareness for organ donation and money for the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

“He’s my big brother — he’s always been there for me,” she says. “Now it’s my turn to be there for him.”

The Kidney March kicks off Sept. 6 south of Calgary near Millarville, with participants walking about 30 kilometres each day, making their way toward the finish line at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. Michelle has raised $1,600 so far, just past the halfway mark for the $2,200 that all participants are required to raise (her goal is $3,000). Jason has also raised an impressive $4,600 in a short amount of time. He will be volunteering at the Kidney March as a crew member so he can be on site to offer encouragement to his little sister.

“She’s doing this for me, so I’m going to be there for her.” She and her brother are most eager to raise awareness and money to fight back against a disease that has greatly affected their family — and countless other Canadians. According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, one in 10 Canadians has kidney disease and many more are at risk. This adds up to roughly 2.6 million Canadians. Kidney failure can be fatal without intensive treatment — ongoing dialysis or a successful organ transplant.

Kidney Marchers’ Bill and Michelle Nadraszky share their community support!

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Source – Airdrie City View, published May 30, 2013 by Allison Chorney/Rocky View Publishing.

The community of Prairie Springs will be raising funds June 1, for a local family who is participating in the Kidney March in September on behalf of their daughter, who has kidney disease.
The neighbourhood will be hosting the inaugural Prairie Springs Garage Sale Parade from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the community.

“We thought as a community, if we could help out a family in need we would,” said event organizer Tracey Tremblay.

Taylor Nadraszky, 13, suffers from nephronophthisis, a disorder of the kidneys that will eventually result in kidney failure and the need for transplant.Nephronophthisis is a rare genetic condition that is the result of inheriting the recessive gene from both parents who are carriers of the gene. When Taylor was diagnosed with the disease in November of 2011, her kidneys were functioning at 44 per cent. A mere 10 months later, her kidney function had reduced to 29 per cent. Kidney failure occurs at 15 per cent functioning.Taylor’s condition is a chronic illness and the Nadraszky’s take things one day at a time.

Tremblay said the event will include help from local children, who will be selling lemonade and hand-draw pictures with the funds going to Michelle and Bill Nadraszky’s efforts in the Kidney March. The event will also include the chance to win gift baskets full of products and vouchers including Norwex products, hair products, a family photography session and a gym pass.

“The Nadraszky family doesn’t live in Prairie Springs but Airdrie is a pretty tight community,” Tremblay said.

She added once a community member made her aware of the Nadraszky’s situation and participation in the Kidney March, she started thinking of ways the neighbourhood could help.

The event was originally planned to be a raffle for the gift baskets but Tremblay said so many people showed interest in becoming involved it became a big community-wide garage sale. At the time of press, Tremblay said about 20 homes had registered to participate in the garage sale.

“With the baskets and the local kids helping out, I think we’ll be able to raise a lot of money,” she said.

Both Michelle and Bill Nadraszky need to raise a minimum of $2,200 to participate in the three-day, 100-kilometre walk, which raises funds for the Canadian Kidney Foundation.

“This is great,” Bill Nadraszky said. “I am looking forward to helping out and really excited and thankful that the Prairie Springs Community garage sale will be helping to raise funds for our cause.”

“The whole town of Airdrie has been amazing,” Michelle Nadraszky said, “residents, businesses, everyone. Complete strangers have offered to help us.”

Any items not sold at the garage sale will be picked up on June 2 and donated to charity, thanks to business sponsors such as Bates Mortgages and Airdrie Upcycle.

To view the original article in all its glory, you can do so here