Life-saving organ donation discussed at Lethbridge Kidney Walk

This past weekend a large group of supporters gathered at Henderson Lake in Lethbridge for the first in-person Kidney Walk in three years. We were at the event and chatted with families who have been deeply impacted by kidney disease. They also touted the importance of organ donation which can help save the lives of those living with the illness. BCN’s Micah Quinn has the story.

Around 60 walkers put their best foot forward in the battle against kidney disease on Saturday morning. There is currently no cure for the illness and according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1 in 10 people are affected by it.

The funds raised for the event will help with patient supports and research, along with education and awareness. Kidney disease can affect anyone at any age, as 45 per cent of new patients are now under 65-years-old.

An organ transplant isn’t a cure, but 76 per cent of Canadians waiting for one are also waiting for a kidney.

As of Saturday almost $17,000 was raised for the Lethbridge Kidney Walk.

The waitlist for a donation from a deceased donor can take quite a while, with the median wait time coming in at three and a half years.