2016 Kidney Walk. (Photo provided by The Kidney Foundation of Canada) 2016 Kidney Walk. (Photo provided by The Kidney Foundation of Canada)
Chatham

Dialysis Patient Chosen As CK Kidney Walk Ambassador

A dialysis patient in Chatham-Kent, on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, will be honoured as the ambassador for this year's Kidney Walk in September.

Misty Dudley was diagnosed with kidney problems at the age of 19.

"I got an email asking if I would like to be the ambassador for this year and I thought it was an honour. I've been trying every year to make this Kidney Walk grow for my community and make more people to hear about it. So far I've been successful," says Dudley.

Dudley suffers from a condition called vesicoureteral reflux, which causes an abnormal flow of urine backwards into the kidney. She began dialysis treatments at the age of 23, but experienced complications when she developed a life threatening infection three years into treatment.

Now 31-year-old Dudley is back on the transplant waiting list.

Despite Dudley's lack of energy from her dialysis treatments, she doesn't let that get in the way of her giving back. Dudley has been a strong supporter of the annual Kidney Walk since it first came to Chatham-Kent in 2012. The Kidney Walk is a fundraiser hosted by the Kidney Foundation of Canada that raises money for kidney research.

So far Dudley has raised $594 for this year's walk and is still going strong.

"I hope to make a difference. I just hope whatever we raise will help with research [and] technology," says Dudley.

She adds that "giving better understanding to younger ones battling kidney disease" is extremely important to her.

The Chatham-Kent Kidney Walk is taking place on Saturday, September 9 at Kingston Park in Chatham. Those interested in participating in the walk or how to pledge Misty can visit the event's website.

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