Teresa's story

NEWS RELEASE

KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA

*************************
This Saturday, September 13 marks the 11th annual Kidney Walk in Sault Ste. Marie.

Walkers will register at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion Saturday at 9am, and the 5K walk is set to begin at 10 a.m.

Kidney Walkers will take steps to create a better future for those living with kidney disease.

Teresa Disano is a passionate fundraiser and member of Team Second Chance that will be well-represented at Saturday’s walk.

Here is Teresa’s story:

In February 2011, I was diagnosed with a condition called Wegner's Vasculatitis.

During this time I was air lifted to London Ontario, not knowing that I had this condition.

This condition usually attacks your lungs but in my situation it attacked my kidneys.

I was in renal failure without even knowing.

In London I started a series of Plasma Treatment that they tried in order to give my kidneys a boost, but that didn't work.

Within a matter of days my life changed and I began dialysis treatment.

Throughout my ordeal, I held on to hope after knowing that I was tethered to a dialysis machine 3 days a week for 4 hours per treatment.

My husband Marc was hopeful he was a match, and wanted to donate his kidney.

I continued dialysis over an 8 month period, hoping for good news.

Finally, in February 2012 we discovered Marc was a match, and in early May 2012, after 15 long months of dialysis, at long last, I had my kidney transplant!

I could not be happier that I got this great gift and a second chance at life.

I choose to help others living with this disease and hope some day that there will be a cure to this silent disease!

For more information, to register for a walk, or to donate, please visit www.kidneywalk.ca.

Help us reach our goal of $30,000 in Sault Ste. Marie.

*************************