First in-person Kidney Walk held in Forest City since 2019
The first in-person Kidney Walk in London, Ont. since 2019 took place Sunday morning at Gibbons Park.
Among the roughly 200 people taking part were Riley Morningstar and his mom, Cora Morningstar.
It was just a few years ago that Riley nearly lost her when she needed a kidney transplant.
“It was pretty scary for me because I didn’t know if she would survive this,” said the 18 year old. “I didn’t think I would have a mother, which really was frightening.”
Cora, 49, is a two time kidney transplant recipient. She developed kidney disease as teenager after a bout with meningitis. She had her fist transplant at age 19, and a second one more than two decades later.
“If I didn’t have that first kidney transplant I don’t know where I would be now,” Cora explained. “Having the first kidney transplant allowed me to be able to go back to working full time, allowed me to get married, have three children. I mean living basically a normal life.”
The London Kidney Walk is expected to raise $35,000 to support kidney patients.
Carl Cadogan, Kidney Foundation regional senior manager, said new breakthroughs are providing more treatment options.
“There is more flexibility for patients to get the kind of dialysis they might need, and to have options, rather than having dialysis at home, or having dialysis in a hospital,” he explained.
According to the Kidney Foundation, about one in 10 Canadians is diagnosed with some form of kidney disease.
Kidney Foundation Peer Support and Program Coordinator Rizwana Ramzanali said kidney disease is on the rise.
“I think it’s the lifestyle that we’re all living,” said Ramzanali. “It’s very fast paced. Kidney disease can go undiagnosed. It’s a quiet disease that just creeps up on you, and when you’re diagnosed it’s a little late to turn back things.”
When it comes to stories of survival, the other side are the donors.
Riley Morningstar and his mom said they wouldn’t be here without them.
“Donors are selfless people,” said Cora. “Honestly I have no words other than ‘Thank you.’ Like, you can’t put into words,” she said.
“My mom’s a very strong person and I’m glad that I can have her as my mom,” added Riley.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.