It is with immense gratitude to be celebrating 24 years of “kidney bliss”. It was March 22, 1999 that my sister Tracy and I were at Toronto General Hospital where the doctors performed a miracle and Tracy was selflessly able to give me her kidney. After spending six months in acute kidney failure, a blessing was revealed that Tracy was a full match!  The gratitude felt towards the doctors and nurses at The Toronto General Hospital lives on in the hearts of me and my family to this day. 

Needless to say, this was truly a life changing moment for both Tracy and I, and our family and friends.  My diagnosis instilled shocking awareness that 1 in 10 face kidney disease! 

A few years after that, the Kidney Walk began. It is the highlight of my year to travel from Toronto to my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie to walk with Tracy and my family. Through chilly, rainy, and thankfully lots of sunny mornings, we stroll the beautiful waterfront boardwalk of Sault Ste. Marie to raise much needed funds for The Kidney Foundation. 

The first year of the Kidney Walk, my husband Orest pleasantly surprised all of us with sending out a note to all our friends requesting donations for Tracy’s participation in the Kidney Walk. Orest has continued yearly, and due to the generosity of our friends and family, Tracy is consistently the top fundraiser in the Sault and among the top individual fundraisers in Ontario! 

My family and I have been participating in the Kidney Walk since inception, dedicated to improving the lives of everyone living with kidney disease. Not even covid could dampen our spirits to participate in the Kidney Walk. I count my blessings with every step I take. It’s truly a heartfelt yearly celebration walking with Tracy and my family by our side, how much gratitude is felt with the numerous new and old success stories that are shared. It’s truly the most uplifting experience!