News

Local school group supporting one of their own, will unite for its 3rd consecutive year from April 3rd-7th to raise funds for Organ Donor Awareness Month.

Born with kidney health issues, ten-year Grady Batchelor was fortunate to receive a healthy kidney transplant from his dad in 2021. To show their love and support for Grady for his upcoming transplant, his schoolmates at École Julie-Riel ran a week-long spirit week, that has since become an annual tradition celebrating kidney health, and has raised over $4,000 for the Kidney Foundation, MB Branch’s Kidney Walk, of which Grady and his family participate under team name Grady’s Gang.

“It is remarkable that someone at such a young age can inspire hundreds of others to contribute donations to an important cause.” - Joni Tesoro, Grade 3 Teacher, École Julie-Riel

This year’s spirit week will feature a Student vs. Teacher Dodgeball Tournament that will bring together the school in friendly competition as they raise awareness and funds for kidney disease and organ donation.

“Grady had not only had an impact on the 336 students and the 40 staff members of École Julie-Riel, but he has touched the hearts of the entire school community in South St. Vital and all the Louis Riel School Division… Grady’s willingness to be so open and outspoken about the need for organ donors and about kidney awareness brought hundreds of people together. He made folks aware of how they can make a difference by becoming organ donors.” – Lyette Carriere, Principal of École Julie-Riel.