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The dual county Norfolk Oxford Kidney Walk is returning to Port Rowan next month, continuing a fundraising tradition that has raised about $135,000 over 25 years.
The September 27 walk is chaired by Greg D’Hulster and his wife, Anita originally of Tillsonburg.
D’Hulster said they wanted to keep the strong support they had built in Oxford County while growing the event in Norfolk.
Money raised supports the Kidney Foundation of Ontario and its work helping people living with kidney disease, including those who rely on dialysis.
For the D’Hulster family, the cause is deeply personal. Their son’s battle with kidney disease is what first sparked their involvement.
Following the second transplant, their son became seriously ill with viral pneumonia and died after spending more than 12 weeks in hospital. He had entered hospital on his 19th birthday.
D’Hulster said the family also experienced first-hand how demanding dialysis can be. Before the first transplant, they regularly travelled from Tillsonburg to London for treatment.
Their son and another Tillsonburg resident, Ed DeSutter, later helped push for a dialysis unit at the Tillsonburg hospital. D’Hulster said having treatment just minutes from home made a major difference when his son’s first transplanted kidney failed.
The Kidney Walk helps support patients and families facing those same challenges, including people who choose home dialysis.
This year’s approximately three-and-a-half-kilometre walk will take participants through the wetlands near the D’Hulsters’ Port Rowan home. Afterwards, the Long Point Lions Club will provide food for a barbecue, with prizes and door prizes also planned.
People can register individually or as a team through the Kidney Walk website and select the dual county Norfolk Oxford Kidney Walk. Donations can also be made to teams already registered.
After roughly 25 years and about $135,000 raised, the D’Hulsters are hoping another strong turnout on September 27 will continue helping kidney patients and their families across the region.
Written by Jeremy Hall
