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(Southern Alberta) – On Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, 2024, this Father’s Day weekend, members of our community will gather to walk in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in support of those affected by kidney disease for The Kidney Foundation of Canada Southern Alberta’s annual Kidney Walk.

Every spring for over a decade, families have participated in Kidney Walk, enjoying a morning of fun to support their kidney and transplant community. Local Kidney Walks serve as a platform where individuals impacted by kidney disease, along with their loved ones, kidney health professionals, and community members, can come together to offer mutual support. Additionally, this walk increases the awareness of kidney disease and organ donation, while raising vital funds that will aid in delivering key local support programs and services.

Walkers like Jodi Harkness are thrilled about the timing of this year’s Kidney Walk. As a Nurse Clinician at the Medicine Hat Hemodialysis Clinic, Jodi has participated for many years on behalf of her wonderful patients. Her involvement goes beyond her professional commitment; she also walks for deeply personal reasons. Jodi walks to honor her father's memory, her brother who is a living kidney donor, and to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. “There are a lot of people to walk for—deceased donors, living donors, everyone in the equation,” she said.

In his thirties, Jodi’s father was diagnosed with a rare form of Amyloidosis, a condition that eventually led to kidney failure. He received a kidney transplant from his son, Jodi’s brother, which granted him just over ten more years of life until his passing in 2018. At the time of the transplant, Jodi was in nursing school. Although both siblings were matches for donation, her brother was deemed the better choice. This experience with her father's illness and transplant profoundly influenced her career. "I grew an interest in nephrology," she said. "That’s where I am now, and that’s where I plan on staying. I love it."

The family has participated in the Kidney Walk numerous times over the years. Even when her father could no longer walk, he did what he could and cherished being there with his family. "My dad had strength like no other and maintained a positive attitude through all his health struggles," Jodi recalled.Jodi thinks back on one of her most memorable Kidney Walks with her father. "It was a year when his mobility was decreasing, but he still attempted to do the walk. Watching him with his walker, seeing him push himself," she reminisced. She felt immense pride watching her father, who, despite having no feeling from the knees down, managed to participate. "I was in awe, watching this man walk the walk," she said.

Jodi’s Kidney Walk team, "Cool Beans," consists of over 20 kidney health professionals and supporters. Thinking back on her involvement in the Kidney Walk each year, Jodi shared what inspires her most. “I think that is why I enjoy it so much, seeing my patients. It's really nice being all together outside of work and having the day. It is important... they become like family.”

Living with kidney disease is a lifelong journey, and while each individual's experience is unique, the shared struggle creates a strong bond among those affected. Kidney disease can try to take a lot away, but it cannot take away hope. Kidney patients are remarkably resilient. “It absolutely amazes me the strength they have despite how unwell they feel and what their bodies can overcome and do. They are such strong patients. They have such a will to survive and a will to fight and live, and I find it very admirable. Because often it is not just kidney disease they are fighting, it’s diabetes or other comorbidities,” Jodi said.

In 2024, the work of The Kidney Foundation is more important than ever. One in 10 Canadians is living with kidney disease and the number of people diagnosed annually continues to rise, particularly with high incidence rates of diabetes and high blood pressure. Because there are often no symptoms until kidney disease is quite advanced, many people aren’t aware that they have the disease until they’ve already lost most of their kidney function.

There is also a misconception that kidney disease only affects an older demographic. In fact, more than 45% of those living with kidney disease are under 65. That’s why it’s so important to know the risk factors for kidney disease and to talk to your doctor about checking your kidney function.

Armed with the right knowledge, kidney disease can be prevented or significantly slowed. The Kidney Foundation's risk awareness quiz helps people understand their risk factors and provides information to discuss with healthcare providers. Take the quiz online at kidney.ca/risk.

Help spread awareness to others in our community and this Father’s Day weekend, join the walk and celebration. Registration is free, and the event is perfect for the whole family, with games, food, and lots of prizes.

Visit kidneywalk.ca for more information, to sign up to walk, to donate, and to support walkers like Jodi in the fight against kidney disease and for increased organ donation.