Over 100 people participated in the Halton Region Kidney Walk this year, helping raise more than $29,000 out of their $35,000 goal so far.

By: Fernando Arce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

Over 100 people participated in the Halton Region Kidney Walk this year, helping raise more than $29,000 out of their $35,000 goal so far.

This year’s walk, which took place on Sept. 22 at the Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park in Oakville, ON, also marks the 60th anniversary of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Over $900,000 have been raised provincially so far.

“Last year’s Kidney Walk raised a record-breaking one million dollars,” said Mary-Pat Shaw, president of The Kidney Foundation’s Ontario Branch. “Kidney Walks are our signature event, and this year is particularly meaningful as we also celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.”

According to the Foundation, while kidney disease is “no longer the death sentence it once was, it continues to impact 1 in 10 Canadians and millions more who are at increased risk.”

In Ontario alone, more than 12,000 people depend on life-sustaining dialysis treatments several times a week, with many of those patients waiting for a transplant. “While transplantation provides the best outcome for patients with end-stage kidney failure, it is still not a cure and there continues to be a shortage of organ donors,” reads a Kidney Foundation press release.

“From funding world-class research, providing education and resources, peer support and financial assistance, The Kidney Foundation is with Canadians for every step of their kidney disease journey,” says Shaw.

“We are incredibly appreciative to our Walk participants and donors that help us achieve these goals.”

With 61 participants, the Halton Region raised over $29,000 with 295 donations, with the top one being $1,000. It ranks 13th out of 20 Ontario locations. Windsor-Essex came in seventh, with over $47,000. Chatham-Kent came in 20th, with close to $12,000.

Donations can be made until the end of the year.

With the help of the Air Canada Foundation, for every $100 participants fundraise online from Aug. 7 to Sept. 30, they will automatically be entered to win a voucher for two economy class return tickets for travel to any Air Canada scheduled destination.