Aidyn Delorme, 5, was born with kidney disease. He left the hospital with a feeding tube and began peritoneal dialysis at six months. Today he visits the hospital three times per week to receive hemodialysis.
Aidyn’s mother, Danielle Valero, just recently discovered she is a match to donate one of her kidneys to her son. “I am just going through some of the final tests, so hopefully, before the end of this year, Aidyn will have a new kidney.”
Last year Aidyn and his family were delighted to discover the Kidney Foundation of Canada's Kidney Walk.
“Aidyn is very social and loves meeting new people,” says Valero. "The Kidney Walk allows him to do just that. We are also able to meet others with kidney disease and see the support and hope raised through The Kidney Walk. It really helped us feel like we were not alone.”
This year Aidyn is both the Provincial Kidney Walk honouree and Regional honouree for The Kidney Walk in Vancouver.
The Kidney Walks in the Lower Mainland take place throughout August. The first walk is on Aug. 11 at Bear Creek Park. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m.
There will be Kidney Walks in 19 other B.C. communities into October.
The walks feature live entertainment, fundraising BBQs, silent auctions, prizes and awards.
Since 2008, participants and volunteers have raised more than $860,000 to help provide critical programs and services in support of kidney patients and their families. This year our goal is $340,000.
To sign up online, fundraise, or volunteer, visit www.kidney.ca/bcwalk or contact Barbara Valentine at barbarav@kidney.bc.ca or 1-800-567-8112.