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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A little rain did not stop nearly 400 people from running, walking – or even rolling – at Sellwood Riverfront Park Sunday morning, all in support of a good cause.
The “Strut Your Kidney” fun run featured 5k, 10k, and 1-mile distances, with all proceeds benefiting Northwest Kidney Kids, a local nonprofit which aids children and teens living with chronic kidney disease in the Pacific Northwest.
Board member Lauren Lynn’s daughter got kidney disease through contracting e. Coli Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) as a toddler before receiving a transplant. This year, Lynn said they were celebrating her “ten-year kidney anniversary,” with a lot of the celebration thanks to Northwest Kidney Kids.
“Northwest Kidney Kids has kind of been our light. Our hope made us as a family, as a parent realize that this chronic disease doesn’t have to rule our lives, that it is just part of the journey,” Lynn said. “It can be very challenging. It can be a complete rollercoaster. But knowing that we’re not alone in this path has been so comforting for our whole family.”
The money raised from Sunday’s event will partially go towards “kidney camps,” where children with chronic kidney disease can further connect with others who share similar experiences. Lynn says these camps were also instrumental in her daughter’s healing process.
“When we first went to camp when my daughter was three and we saw teenagers that also had kidney disease, cheerleading, getting out there, it just was like, oh my gosh, we can do this,” Lynn said. “Like, my child can also thrive.”
Organizers say the rest of the funding raised will also go towards peer mentorship programs, clinical support, scholarships, as well as resources for families across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
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Jenna Deml
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