About
In 2015, when Christopher Pennington was 11 years old, he was diagnosed with Henoch-Scholein Purpura (HSP), an autoimmune disorder that can cause chronic kidney disease. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and revealed that Christopher had been born with only one kidney.
Rather than letting the illness get him down, Christopher became a spokesperson for Kidney disease. Keen to find a cure for himself and others, Christopher has spent the last several years fundraising for kidney research and raising awareness about kidney health in Grey, Bruce and Huron counties.
Christopher was the honourary chair of the first Owen Sound Kidney Walk in 2015 and went on to found the Huron-Bruce Kidney Walk, held each September in Kincardine.
Since 2015, Christopher and his Crew have raised over $100,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Christopher's Crew is proud to raise funds in support of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. The Kidney Foundation has invested over $115 million in life-saving kidney health research. They have also supported thousands of kidney patients through vital programs and services that assist people living with kideny disease.
As anyone who has been personally affected can attest, prevention and treatment methods can still be vastly improved. There is an urgent need to do more. Christopher, his Crew and the Kidney Foundation of Canada need your support to create a world without kidney failure.
Awards and Honours
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2016 Volunteer of the Year Award, Kidney Foundation of Ontario
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2017 Excellence in Fundraising Award, Kidney Foundation of Ontario
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2018 Meridian Good Neighbour Award, Kincardine Chamber of Commerce
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2019 Kidney Walk Award of Excellence, Kidney Foundation of Canada
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2019 Remarkable Citizen Award, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson
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2020 Ontario Junior Citizens Award
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2020 Kidney Walk of Excellence Award, Kidney Foundation of Canada
About Kidney Disease
Kidney disease affects approximately 1 in 10 Canadians. There are often no symptoms until kidney disease is quite advanced, so many people aren't aware they have the disease until they have already lost most of their kidney function.
Unlike some cancer patients, kidney failure/dialysis patients never get respite. They never go into remission. They continue dialysis at home or in clinic forever. Transplantation is not a cure, only a treatment.
Kidney's are a critical part of your health. They 'clean' your blood by removing waste from the body through urine, help your body make red blood cells and regulate blood pressure. Their function in maintaining your body's health is as important as your heart or lungs.
Normally, people have two kidneys, one on either side of the spine under the lower ribs. They are reddish brown in colour and shaped like kidney beans. Each kidney is about the size of your clenched fist.