The very first Kidney Walk in Cranbrook is coming up on Sunday, Aug. 29 and organizer Jenn Smith said the event will be fun for the whole family.

“We’ve got confirmed that the Kinnettes will be at the Walk with their bouncy tent and a portion of what they make on the bouncy tent will be donated to the Kidney Walk,” she said. “That’s fun for all kids and this way it really is a family affair. We’re trying to get all ages out there.”

Smith said they are sill looking for walkers and volunteers for the event. The aim for the first Walk in Cranbrook is 50 walkers and fundraising $5,000. Currently, according to the website, they are just under 50 per cent towards the fundraising goal.

“This is our first year having this walk so I think it’s a very reasonable goal,” she said.

Registration will be at Confederation Park starting at 9 a.m. and the Walk will begin at 10 a.m. Walkers will then go through the paths surrounding Elizabeth Lake.

Afterwards there will be a barbecue for all participants, but anyone who just wants to share in the barbecue can come by Confederation Park around 11 a.m. and with a donation to the Kidney Foundation can partake.

There is no registration fee to participate in the Kidney Walk and all walkers will get a bracelet. With a pledge of $50 you can get a t-shirt and as the amount of pledges you collect goes up, the prizes change.

People wishing to participate can pick up pledge sheets at the Cottage Rose Quilt Shop (24 10th Avenue South), they can be found online (www.kidney.ca/bc and click on the Kidney Walk link), or you can make your pledge the day of the Walk.

In addition to raising funds for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Walk is being held to raise awareness of kidney disease, a chronic illness that leads to eventual kidney failure, for which there is currently no cure. Diabetes is the most common source of kidney disease and high blood pressure is the second most prevalent cause of kidney disease.

There are currently more than 36,000 Canadians living with kidney failure and medical experts estimate there are two million people who have or at serious risk of chronic kidney disease.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national health charity working on behalf of kidney patients and their caregivers. It funds research into kidney disease, provides patient services, delivers public education and advocate to governments and health authorities on behalf of those with kidney disease.

The Walk is a family event, there will be prizes in different categories. There is a Facebook group called 1st Annual Kidney Foundation Fundraiser Walk where more information is available.