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Each year hundreds of individuals from around Michigan gather at the Mill
Pond in downtown Brighton to celebrate family and friends who are survivors
of kidney disease, and to honor those who have passed after sharing their
trials and triumphs. It is with a sense of purpose these individuals walk,
many having never met before, but all sharing one common goal -- to make
strides in fighting kidney disease.
Some walk to celebrate their own personal successes in battling kidney
disease. Some walk to honor a child, or a parent. Some come in support of a
friend struggling with a new diagnosis. All walk with strong hearts that
have given of themselves to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation
of Michigan's Peer Mentoring program. Why do they do this?
Because no matter what form kidney disease has taken in their lives, no
matter what treatments they have experienced, whether they have been a
recipient of a donor's grace, or are still on the transplant waiting list,
these people know one thing for certain -- sharing your experience with
someone who has "been there" and "done that" is one of the most healing
treatments available to today's kidney patient. Often it is that knowing
support that gets us through the day!
Peer Mentors provide this valuable service as volunteers who have been
trained by the NKFM to share their personal experiences in helping newly
diagnosed dialysis and kidney transplant patients remain active and viable
members of their community. Through one-on-one support and education, peer
mentors help empower kidney patients so they are more effective in
communicating with their health care providers and can make informed choices
about their physical, mental, social and financial well being now and in the
future.
That's what the Brighton Kidney Walk is about: creating empowerment now and
in the future.
We hope this website will help raise awareness about kidney disease, and
inform you of events and activities taking place as we lead up to the walk
on September 6, 2008. If you are interested in forming a walk team,
sponsorship opportunities, or helping in some other way, please contact us.
We wish you well. |
Handi
Rental
Coyotes For Kidneys
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This webpage was created by members of the
Brighton Kidney Walk and Coyotes for Kidneys Team. Our purpose is to create
awareness, prevention and educational opportunites in Livingston County and
surrounding Michigan areas. Through our work with NKFM we intend to raise
funds to achieve training and placements of peer mentors in each of
Michigan's 150 dialysis clincs. The Brighton Kidney Walk is an annual
celebration of life for individuals living with kidney disease, dialysis
patients, organ transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, the
medical and business communities, and the general public. Through our
efforts we hope to create an enriched experience for individuals living with
kidney disease, lasting community awareness, advocacy and long-term support
in the fight against kidney disease in Michigan, where 1 in 9 adults face
this life altering chronic illness. |
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