Joanne Drodge and Randy Haatvedt personify what Kidney March is all about. Both Kidney March veterans, Joanne and Randy could write the book about going the extra mile – literally and figuratively.
A retired IT Consultant, Randy donated his kidney to his friend Pat in 2012. A long-time client at Pat’s shoe shine business in downtown Calgary, Randy watched his friend of 20 years working hard every day, even though it was clear Pat was getting progressively worse. Randy did some internet research and without a word to Pat, called Pat’s doctor to see how he could help. Randy had hoped to do the transplant work-up anonymously so as not to get Pat’s hopes up if he wasn’t a match – but protocol would not allow that, and once he told Pat of his intentions, the two friends started “knocking over the obstacles one at a time.” “It was an amazing experience,” Randy says, “From the time I made that first call, I had a good feeling – we both did. In fact, if I had another kidney to give, I’d do it all again.”
Joanne Drodge’s story is similarly remarkable. She first learned about kidney disease when her nephew, Bryan, was born with it. Now 21, Bryan has had two transplants, and is on the list for a third in Halifax. Although Joanne is not a match for her nephew, she’s looking into the paired donor exchange program, and has begun kidney donor testing so that she can donate to someone else. “At my young age,” she says, tongue-in-cheek, “time is ticking, so I need to move now if I am going to do this.” Despite her nephew’s experience, Joanne had no idea until she walked in Kidney March 2015 that kidney disease was so prevalent and devastating. “Awareness is critical when it comes to kidney disease – people need to understand, it could easily be them,” she says.
Randy and Joanne met for the first time when they sat down at a local coffee shop to talk about the need for more awareness about kidney disease and organ donation. They are now co-sponsors of a Pit Stop at Kidney March 2016.
It was Randy’s idea to sponsor half a pit stop with a donation of $2,500, and he challenged the Kidney March staff to find a co-sponsor. Once Joanne, an independent insurance and financial advisor with the Pelican Group, found out, she was quick to jump in. “It was the right thing to do,” she says.
Both Randy and Joanne believe in giving back to the community. “If you are in any way philanthropic you already understand that donating in the community has spin-off benefits for your business. It helps you get your name out publicly and aligned with a meaningful cause. Whatever you get involved with in the community, it has to speak to you. Kidney March is an obvious choice for anyone who has a personal connection,” Joanne says.
All this giving aside, the two joke about the importance of a pit stop for anyone who knows anything about Kidney March. “I looked forward to every one of those bloody pit stops,” Joanne says. To which Randy adds, “a pit stop for a kidney marcher is truly a shining light on the horizon.”
Are you interested in co-sponsoring a Kidney March Pit Stop? A co-sponsor has come forward and is looking for a partner. Please contact Laura Fleming at 403-255-6108 ext 34 or laura.fleming@kidneyfoundation.ab.ca.