SOUTH East residents will dress in vibrant shades of red to walk a few leisurely laps of The Rail on Sunday, joining thousands of people across Australia for the annual Big Red Kidney Walk.
While events nation-wide will raise funds for Kidney Health Australia, the Mount Gambier walk will also be an opportunity for the South East Renal Support Group to reconnect with local kidney patients.
“There was a local support group years ago and they helped raise funds to set up the renal dialysis unit at the hospital,” group member Danielle Horton explained.
“The group has not been active for awhile, but we have recently relaunched to support local people with kidney disease.”
Ms Horton – who is living with kidney failure – said the debilitating disease was common, but often misunderstood.
“We have a high number of pre-dialysis patients and a number of patients on dialysis in the South East,” she said.
“We have only had a few meetings so far, but many of us have found it really comforting to chat to someone who understands.
“One member who has had a transplant is now dealing with skin cancer caused by the anti-rejection drugs and she found it so helpful to talk to another member who has been through the same thing.”
Participants at Sunday’s event will have the option to walk one or three laps of a figure eight circuit between Bay Road and Wehl Street.
Dogs are welcome and best-dressed prizes will be awarded to the best dressed human and pup.
“We will have a raffle and a jelly bean guessing contest and coffee and food available,” Ms Horton said.
“All funds raised will be donated to Kidney Health Australia and its accommodation in Adelaide for rural patients.
“Kidney Transplant House is a place for South East residents to stay free of charge when they travel to Adelaide to learn how to complete dialysis or when they receive the life-changing gift of a new kidney – right now a patient from the region is staying there.
“The house relies on donations and we felt it was important for us to give back, as some of us may need to use it in the near future.”
Adult entry for Mount Gambier’s Big Red Kidney Walk will cost $10, kids can join in for $5 and family entry will cost $20.
The walk will start at the Wehl Street end of The Rail at 10am on Sunday.
