Kidney Community Gathers at Kidney Walks to Celebrate Kidney

Ontario Branch
1599 Hurontario St., Suite 201
Mississauga, ON L5G 4S1
T. 905.278.3003 / 1.800.387.4474
905.271.4990
F.
www.kidney.ca/ontario
MEDIA RELEASE August‐27‐14 Kidney Community Gathers at Kidney Walks to Celebrate Kidney Foundation’s 50th Anniversary (Ontario)– This year marks The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s 50th anniversary and throughout the month of September, in communities large and small, Kidney Walkers will take steps to create a better future for those living with kidney disease. Fifty years ago, a diagnosis of kidney failure was, in essence, a death sentence. Dialysis was restricted to only a few individuals and organ transplants were experimental at best. Naturally, as The Kidney Foundation took root, the organization took a leadership role in advocating for more accessibility to dialysis, and became a leading investor in kidney research. Today, The Kidney Foundation is a leading national charity dedicated to kidney health and improved lives for all people living with kidney disease. One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease, and millions more are risk. “More than 10,000 people in Ontario are on dialysis today and 1,100 are on the wait list for a transplant,” says Terry Young, Kidney Foundation Ontario Branch President. “End‐stage kidney failure is a permanent, life‐changing diagnosis. Undergoing dialysis treatments numerous times a week takes its toll ... physically, psychologically, and financially, and can dramatically affect the patient as well as his/her family and friends.” Kidney Walks are one of our largest community fundraisers and provide not only an opportunity for awareness and fundraising, but provide an opportunity for the kidney community to gather. “Transplant patients, dialysis patients, family, friends and medical professionals will join together with a collective goal to help create a better future for those living with kidney disease,” said Anthony Tirone, Director of Philanthropy & Community Development. “At the same time, participants enjoy the camaraderie and friendship that comes from knowing that you are not alone in your experience.” The Foundation’s goal is to support those affected by kidney disease through education, patient support programs like the Kidney Connect Peer Support program, advocacy, and by funding research to improve understanding of kidney disease and its treatments. For more information to register for a walk, or to donate, please visit www.kidneywalk.ca. Help us reach our goal of $850,000 in Ontario. – 30 – The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through: funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation. Since its creation in 1964, The Kidney Foundation has helped millions of Canadians suffering from kidney failure and related disorders; our fundraising campaigns have allowed us to contribute over $110 million to research, and to provide services to individuals living with chronic kidney disease and related conditions. To arrange interviews or for more information, contact: Contact: Trish Reynolds Communications Manager 905.278.3003 ext.4981 [email protected] 2014 Kidney Walk Locations: Chatham, Iroquois Falls, Porcupine, York Region, Barrie, Belleville, Brampton, Brockville, Caledonia, Cornwall, Kapuskasing, Kitchener, Stittsville, Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, Sault Ste. Marie, Scarborough, Stratford, Halton Region, Peterborough, Sudbury, Welland, Brantford, Durham Region, Guelph, Hawkesbury, Kingston, Mississauga, North Bay, Pembroke, Renfrew, Sarnia, Tillsonburg, Windsor‐Essex County, Toronto, Goderich, Hamilton, , London, Orillia, Ottawa, Perth