Christopher and his crew promoting second annual Kidney Walk in Goderich

Christopher Pennington will be a teenager in December and is going into Grade 8 at F.E. Madill Secondary School, Wingham, in the fall.

He loves playing baseball and hockey and has won several trophies.

Christopher also has kidney disease and for the second year in a row, he is the honourary chairman of the Goderich Kidney Walk, slated for Sunday, Sept. 10.

In October, 2014, the son of Cathy Pennington of Kincardine, and Mark Pennington of Brussels, was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder called Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) which can cause severe or chronic kidney disease. As a result of the HSP, in the spring of 2015, Christopher underwent a kidney biopsy and was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Even more unbelievable, during the course of the diagnosis, it was also discovered that he was born without his left kidney.

Despite the chronic kidney disease, Christopher continues to play the sports he loves - he's the goalie on his hockey team, and the pitcher on his fastball team.

With that same determination, he is aiming to get support and raise funds for the Kidney Walk. Christopher's Crew was the top fund-raising team at the Owen Sound walk held in 2015, and at last year's inaugural Goderich walk.

The team's goal this year is $8,000 and it has already raised $2,000. Christopher is selling "Km (kilometres) for Kidneys" bracelets at $2 each; available at Penetangear and Bruce Telecom in Kincardine. He is also accepting donations of $1/kilometre for the five-kilometre walk. Local runners, including Jared Adams and Pete Richards, are helping out, donating $1/kilometre as they do their regular runs.

And even if you can't make a donation or buy a bracelet, Christopher is urging you to help out the cause by donating used clothing for the Kidney Foundation to resell as a fund-raiser. A bin for used clothing has been set up at Kincardine Home Hardware.

Harvey Thomson, chairman of the leadership group with the Waterloo Wellington and District chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, is walking with Christopher this year. In a letter of endorsement, he said more than 3,000 Canadians are waiting for a kidney transplant, more than 20,000 are on dialysis, and many more are at risk of kidney failure.

"These dry statistics don't inspire people and move them to act," he said. "But people like Christopher do. While confronting kidney disease, he leads an active life of school, baseball, hockey, and time with family and friends. He is also doing an extraordinary job of raising awareness of the seriousness of kidney disease and the importance of organ donation, funding life-saving research, and providing necessary services to patients and their families.

"Christopher is a hero to the Kidney Foundation. That's why my wife and I will be joining his walk team and raising funds to support him. I hope all of you who see or hear Christopher will join in and/or pledge support for a wonderful person who is making a difference."

Also joining the Goderich walk, are Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Goderich mayor Kevin Morrison.



Christopher Pennington (left) holds up a thermometer with his $8,000 goal for this year's Kidney Walk in Goderich, while his mother, Cathy, holds a sign promoting the event
 

"I want everyone to support the Kidney Foundation through its many fund-raisers, including the Kidney Walk on Sept. 10 in Goderich,” says Christopher. The event helps raise money for kidney research, and programs that help support Canadians living with kidney disease. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m., at the Goderich Waterfront Boardwalk Pavilion, at 4, The Cove, in Goderich.

Christopher reminds people of the following facts:
 

• One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease
• There is no cure for kidney disease
• Medication can slow down the progression of the disease but right now, the best that current medicine has to offer for kidney failure is dialysis and transplantation
• We have the power to change this through kidney awareness, by keeping fit and active, keeping regular control of your blood-sugar level, monitoring your blood pressure, eating healthy and keeping your weight in check
• Do not smoke, do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis, and maintain a healthy fluid intake

Christopher urges people to register to become an organ donor so that fewer people will require dialysis, and more people can receive a kidney transplant, allowing them to lead a normal life again.

He also encourages everyone to support Christopher's Crew and Christopher Pennington in the Kidney Walk, through pledges on-line at the following website: kidney.akaraisin.com/pledge/Team/Home.aspx?seid=14307&mid=10&tid=135763‎