The largest Kidney Foundation community fundraiser is coming to Chatham-Kent (CK) this weekend.
The event, Kidney Walk, helps to support those with kidney disease.
The event is as important as ever, as the number of people with kidney disease continues to increase, according to Fund and Development Officer of the Windsor 7 District Chapter Kidney Foundation of Canada, Shannon Van Watteghem.
“We're seeing an increase in need from our patients for our short-term financial assistance program. In Southwestern Ontario alone, we have seen a rise of 40 per cent in applications,” Van Watteghem said.
So far, the walk has raised $9,260 in CK, which is 79 per cent of its goal.
Diabetes is a key factor in kidney disease, and 9.3 per cent of CK residents have diabetes, according to Van Watteghem.
“Many people don't correlate those two conditions together, so one of the aspects that the kidney walk does is it raises awareness of that,” She added.
Participants of the walk will be offered a tasty treat from Riverside Ice Cream.
The fundraiser is being held at Mud Creek Park this Saturday, with registration on-site starting at 12 p.m. and the actual walk happening at 1 p.m.