Sidney the Kidney, Mayor Shari Green, and Kidney Walk honouree, Adam Hrankowski, cut the ribbon to officially start the 2013 Prince George Kidney Walk

Prince George, BC – Approximately 100 participants took part in the 2013 Kidney Walk on the indoor track at the Northern Sports Centre yesterday afternoon.

Mayor Shari Green was on-hand, as was kidney donor, Adam Hrankowski, who was this year’s regional honouree.

Prior the walk, Hrankrowski spoke to participates and volunteers about how it can take just minutes to save a life.  He said people often get set in their routines, but if they can step out of it for just a moment, that can make all the difference to another person.

Hrankowski said he hadn’t heard of living organ donation prior to his friend, John, getting sick with kidney disease.  Hrankowski donated his kidney to John in June.

He shared his story in the hopes that it raises awareness about kidney disease and organ donations and inspires others to change a life by being a living organ donor.

The walk raised approximately $26-thousand dollars for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, just shy of local organizers’ goal of $30-thousand.  But a few donations have yet to be tallied, including those from a silent auction, where the most sought after item appeared to be a hockey stick signed by Roberto Luongo.