Just returning home from Vancouver Children’s Hospital Thursday with her son Nash after he received treatment to keep his kidney disease in remission, mother Fallon Overton knows all too well the importance of supporting the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
“The Kidney Walk is important to us because our family lives with kidney disease every single day of the year. The Kidney Walk is one day everyone comes together to support people who struggle with some form of kidney disease,” said Overton, whose family is gearing up for the event this weekend.
From collecting bottles to gathering pledges, the family, their friends and their extended families throw their support behind the Williams Lake event every year and this year is no exception.
The Williams Lake Kidney Walk, hosted by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC and Yukon Branch, will take place Sunday, Sept. 23 in Boitanio Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m.
The walk is held in communities throughout B.C. and Yukon to raise awareness and funds for those affected by kidney disease.
Last year the Williams Lake Kidney Walk raised $27,000 – $21,706 of which was raised by Team Nash alone, for the Kidney Foundation of BC.
Read More: 2017 Williams Lake Kidney Walk raises $27,000
“Raising money makes us feel good knowing we are helping someone somewhere in even the smallest way. We are so lucky to have such great family and friends who come out year after year, rain or shine, to support Team Nash and everyone else in this little town who has been affected by kidney disease,” she said.
Nash was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome when he was just two years old.
Since then he has been on a roller coaster ride of tests, treatments, relapses and remissions as doctors work to keep his kidneys functioning.
The family has been very open about Nash’s health struggles and have embraced the strength of community.
“Treating NS is very hit or miss with a limited number of treatment options,” Overton explained in previous interviews with the Tribune. “You try treatments through the trial and error approach.”
Nephrotic syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the kidneys leak blood protein called albumin.
Nash and his family are currently embracing the fact he is in remission, but the Grade 7 student still has to have rituximab infusions every four months to keep the disease at bay.
If you would like to support the kidney foundation or Team Nash, take part in the walk on Sunday or visit the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC and Yukon Branch online to make a donation.
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