The 4th annual Kidney Walk is slated to take place during the first week of June.
The Kidney Walk is hosted by the Grande Prairie and Region Kidney Foundation.
Community Engagement Manager for the foundation, Krysta Gendreau says money raised from the walk all goes back into the foundation so they can keep helping the people who need it.
“We need vital funding to be able to put on the programs that we offer.”
Gendreau said that locally the foundation puts on programs to help ease the burden of gas and grocery costs for families who may have to pay out of pocket for everyday items.
“All the money raised from the kidney walk, whether you do it here or Edmonton or in another province it all goes towards those programs.”
According to Gendreau, the cost of these everyday items have been going up, resulting in the foundation wanting to shoot high for a donation goal this year.
Last years event raised just over $32,000 for the foundation, marking their biggest year locally. However, this year the fundraising goal is set for $50,000.
Around 150 people participated in the walk last year, Gendreau is encouraging for more people to come on out and take part in the fundraiser.
“It’s a fundraiser, but it’s also a community show of support. We encourage patients to come out and people who have either donated, or a donor family to come out with their families.”
Registration for the walk is already open and can be found on the Kidney Foundation’s website.
The walk is set to begin at 11:00 a.m., on June 14. You can also register in-person on the day of the walk, starting at 10:15 a.m.
As of May 22, just over $12,000 has already been donated.
