Wendy Walsh and her two year old daughter Opal. Walsh is walking in the Kidney March, a 100 kilometre trek from Kananaskis Country to Calgary, on September 6. Walsh is doing the march only three months after donating one of her kidneys to Opal on June 11.

    A Drumheller woman is showing her support and raising awareness for kidney disease in Canada by walking 100 kilometres.
    Wendy Walsh has pledged to walk in the Kidney March, a 100 kilometre trek from Kananaskis Country to Calgary, starting on September 6. The march aims to raise money for research into kidney disease.
    “I’m doing the Kidney March, which is a fundraiser for the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Each walker has to raise a minimum of $2,200 and it’s a 100 kilometre walk over three days, starting in Kananaskis and ending in Calgary,” said Walsh.
    Walsh is walking only three months after donating her kidney to her daughter, Opal.
    “I’ll be doing it only three months after donating my kidney. It took me longer to recover than I had thought, but I’m doing good. I just get a little sore when I lift heavy things,” said Walsh. “It’s definitely a challenge. The kidney march has some practices they do, but I’m just going to wing-it and see how I do.”
    Walsh donated her kidney to Opal on June 11 after she was found to be a match with her daughter. Two years ago, Opal was taken to the Children’s Hospital in Calgary after her parents thought she was having an allergic reaction. However, doctors soon diagnosed Opal with failing kidneys.
    Only five months old, Opal was fighting for her life and her family endured months in and out hospitals and taking Opal to regular dialysis.
    “Opal received my kidney on June 11 and she’s doing well. She has a ton of energy and she loves to bounce everywhere she goes. She doesn’t stop until her head hits the pillow. She’s like a new person,” said Walsh.
    Though Opal has been given a new lease on life with a functioning kidney, there are still challenges.
    “She’s still under close monitoring, has blood work twice a week, and has a kidney biopsy every three months. She’s on anti-rejection meds, which will be for life. It’s a little scary, because they suppress her immune system, so we have to be careful when she goes anywhere around sick people, like wearing a mask. It’s a little challenging, but she’s getting used to it. She’s just a little trooper,” said Walsh.
    To donate to Walsh, visit www.kidneymarch.ca and click on “Sponsor a Marcher” or donate directly to Walsh at 403-334-0814. To march Walsh must raise $2,200.
    “I want to do the walk this soon after surgery to encourage others that kidney donation is not a big deal. You can live a normal life with just one kidney,” said Walsh.
I want to encourage others to become organ donors.”