Sarnia's annual Kidney Walk has already surpassed its fundraising goal as the event returns to in-person participation for the first time since 2019.
The Kidney Walk will take place on Sunday, September 24, beginning at the Seaway Kiwanis Pavilion at Canatara Park.
Registration will begin a 9 a.m. and the walk will start at 10 a.m.
Sarnia-Lambton Kidney Foundation Fund & Community Development Officer Kate Hardy said they're excited to welcome participants back following the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of the beginning of the week, 55 people have pre-registered for this weekend's event.
"I think it just really goes to show that there's still such a strong community here who feels so strongly about kidney health and helping with patients here in town," said Hardy. "They were so quick to say, 'Yes, let's be back in-person and let's do this!'"
The local chapter of the Kidney Foundation had set a fundraising goal of $28,000, but as of Friday, nearly $37,000 had been raised.
The amount raised also surpassed last year's total during the virtual walk of just over $20,000.
"We just want to thank all of Sarnia for everything that they've done and the money that they've raised for us," Hardy said.
Sarnia is one of 28 communities across the province to host the annual walk, which is the Kidney Foundation's largest nation-wide fundraiser. Money raised supports research and patient support programs.
As stated in a media release, one in 10 Canadians have kidney disease and over 12,000 Ontarians depend on dialysis treatment, many are also waiting for a transplant.