Stettler mom Whitney Hall has watched her daughter, Olivia, live with kidney disease for the last eight years.
Hall said as a parent it is difficult to watch your child go through something and not be able to fix it. But that’s one of the reasons they decided to become involved with the Red Deer and area chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Olivia, 13, is the face of this year’s Give the Gift of Life Fun Run and Walk on Sept. 11.
On Friday, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Northern Alberta and the Territories Branch kicked off the fifth annual edition of the fundraiser at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
In 2010, the fundraiser brought in about $39,000 and this year, organizers hope to raise $57,000 to promote organ and tissue donation and improve the lives of people living with kidney disease.
Hall said while she is unable to cure her daughter, her biggest goal is to help raise funds and awareness about organ and tissue donation.
Hall said Canada has one of the lowest donor rates in the world.
“Four thousand Canadians are on a wait list for donations at any time,” said Hall, the honourary spokesperson for the fundraiser.
“Seventy-five per cent of those are waiting for kidneys. Between 150 and 200 of them die every year while they are waiting. I don’t want my daughter to become a statistic.”
Olivia is in the early stages of kidney disease. She had a biopsy in June and they are waiting for the results.
Two years ago, Olivia still had 90 per cent function of her kidneys. She takes medication to keep her kidneys working.
Hall said even though people may have signed an organ donor card, it is equally important for organ donors to let their families know before the decision has to be made or it could be too late.
“Your family has to know,” she said. “They have to give consent.”
Mandatory registration for the walk is 9 a.m. at the Great Chief Park, Kiwanis Picnic Shelter on Sept. 11.
The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. To register, visit www.kidney.ab.ca or call 403-392-4935.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com