The Shawville Fairgrounds was the place to be Sunday afternoon, as approximately 65 enthusiastic community members showed up to participate in the 4th Annual Pontiac Kidney Walk.
The event was organized by Randy Russell and his wife Francine Lyrette, along with the help of the Shawville Rotary Club who sponsored it.
The cause is very near and dear to Russell’s heart. He has a genetic disorder called polycystic kidney disease which progressively caused him to go into renal failure in 2017 at the age of 60. Francine gave him a kidney and since then his quality of life has improved immensely.
Speaking to Russell prior to the walk starting, he stressed the importance of kidney research.
“The more people that are aware of kidney disease, the different types of kidney disease that exist, is really, really important,” he began. “One in 14 people, one person out of 14 in the province of Quebec, have kidney disease, many of which don’t even know it,” he continued. “I was diagnosed at the age of 29 and my kidney decline had already started, so when I was diagnosed there was already a lot of damage done.”
Russell was pleased with the turnout and the amount of support he’s received. He estimated there were roughly 40 volunteers helping, including several from the Shawville Rotary Club who helped with the set-up a few days prior, and getting things ready the day of.
“It’s just amazing,” Russell said. “You know, the folks from the Kidney Foundation [think] Pontiac, it’s up the line. They don’t realize how caring and loving the folks are up here. In 2019 when I set a target of $10,000 they thought I was insane. But our target turned out to be $16,400.”
Russell lowered the target this year by a couple thousand, due to the situation with the economy lately. “I didn’t think we could bring that kind of result to the table this year. But the folks of the Pontiac are showing me once again,” he said. “I lowered our target to $7,500 and we are almost at 11 already, and that doesn’t count one cent that comes in today. The people, they just open their hearts and open their pocket books.”
Russell added that the opening of the dialysis unit at the Shawville Hospital back in 2018 was great for bringing awareness to kidney disease. “People were curious about what it was all about, there were organized visits. People saw what dialysis is. The knowledge is … we’re imparting it but we need to keep on. Keep on and keep on,” he said.
Participants of the walk were treated to a variety of snacks to keep energized and drinks to stay hydrated. There was also a DJ playing upbeat music.
Most walked, a few ran, the course which was marked with flags and went partially around the fairgrounds. Each lap ended by going through the Homecraft Hall, often met by a round of applause from volunteers. As participants emerged they were met by mascot “Mr. Renal”, who was holding a jar. When registering for the event, each participant was given a pouch of 15 kidney beans, so as they met “Mr. Renal” they would drop a bean into the jar. When their pouch was empty, they knew they had finished and done their part for research.
The walk itself lasted a little less than 2 hours. Afterwards there was a draw for various door prizes donated by local businesses, and the grand total was announced. A giant cheque for an impressive $13,060 was presented to Bruno Tousignant, regional director from the Kidney Foundation. The years target was surpassed yet again.
When asked why she chose to participate in the walk, Sand Bay resident Monica Dodson replied with “I do it because Randy is a very good friend of mine. I’ve seen him go . . . like I knew him before he got the transplant from Francine and I just want to encourage them. I feel it’s a very good cause, and I love to walk.”
Dodson also had a few words of encouragement to add in to future potential participants. “You’re walking for a good cause. To know how much the research is advancing and how Randy said earlier how it’s changed from the generations in his family. We are making a difference.”
If you’d like to make a donation, they are being accepted until December 31, 2022.https://kidney.akaraisin.com/ui/qcwalk2022/g/35197
