Christopher Pennington and crew raise $6,000 for Kidney Foundation

About 40 people took part in the Kidney Walk in Owen Sound, Saturday, Sept. 26, raising $7,232.85 for the Kidney Foundation.

Among them were 10-year-old Christopher Pennington (left, in photo, with Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker) and his mother, Cathy, of Kincardine.

The honourary chairman of the event, Christopher raised almost $3,000 for the cause while Christopher's Crew raised a total of $6,222.85.

The weather was great for the five-kilometre walk, says Cathy. "It was so neat to see 16 young people, between the ages of 10 and 12, get behind their buddy (Christopher). Players from his hockey and ball teams came up to Owen Sound on a bus donated by Newry Coach Lines."

Christopher loves playing hockey and baseball, but last October, he 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, he underwent a kidney biopsy and was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

With the help of the doctors at London's Children's Hospital (Sick Kids) and the support of the Kidney Foundation, as well as the proper precautions in place, Christopher is determined to continue being an active boy playing the sports he loves so much.
 

There are 41 Kidney Walks held across Ontario and this year, 288 teams participated. Christopher's Crew ranked 11th and out of the 1,500 individuals walking, Christopher ranked 18th.
 

Cathy says the Kidney Foundation has agreed to have a walk closer to Christopher and his family. Next year, the event is slated to be held in Goderich with Christopher as honourary chairman again.



Christopher's Crew at the Kidney Walk in Owen Sound, Saturday, Sept. 26; photos courtesy of Cathy Pennington