The Prince George Branch of the B.C. Kidney Foundation will recognize World Kidney Day on Thursday with a Kidney Walk in Pine Centre Mall.
The walk at 1 p.m. is designed to raise awareness of kidney disease, a silent killer that affects thousands of people in B.C. -- many of whom do not realize they have it.
Last year more than 30 residents turned out for the walk, said Paul Duperron, a provincial director on the B.C. Kidney Foundation board who's hoping to exceed that number this year.
There will also be an information table at University Hospital where organ donation 'Recycle Yourself' T-shirts will be sold for $20 with funds going to kidney research.
Duperron said a living organ donation is being promoted these days as giving the best overall results.
"A family member is usually the better match for the person in need of a new kidney."
Paul's wife, Diane, president of the Prince George Chapter of the Kidney Foundation, said it's now possible for living organ donors to be placed on a reimbursement plan which pay up to $5,500 for expenses, like travel and accommodation, incurred by donors.
She added the plan was initiated in B.C. in 2006, and is now spreading across the nation and can involve donors from around the world.
On March 12, during Kidney Month, The Citizen will feature a Saturday report on kidney disease.
