Local youth is honourary chairman of Kidney Walk in Owen Sound

Christopher Pennington loves sports, particularly hockey and baseball.

The 10-year-old son of Cathy Pennington of Kincardine, and Mark Pennington of Brussels, has helped his teams win awards and been named Most Valuable Player (MVP) as goalie for the Brussels-Blyth Atom hockey team that won the WOAA (Western Ontario Athletic Association) finals against Mount Forest.

But last fall, Christopher got sick, and this spring, he had to take a break from his beloved sports.

In October, 2014, he was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder called Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) which can cause severe or chronic kidney disease. As a result of the HSP, in the spring of 2015, Christopher underwent a kidney biopsy and was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Even more unbelievable, says his mother, is that during the course of the diagnosis, it was also discovered that Christopher was born without his left kidney.

Cathy Pennington says that even though it was an incredibly challenging winter for her son, he managed to remain positive and active. As goalie, he led his hockey team to the championship in the WOAA finals. He missed the exhibition games and only one regular season game in the fall; and in the spring, he was off sick between the regular season and the playoffs.

"We had 28 wins, one tie and three losses," says Christopher, "and I had 17 shut-outs."

With the help of the doctors at London's Children's Hospital (Sick Kids) and the support of the Kidney Foundation, as well as the proper precautions in place, Christopher is determined to continue being an active boy playing the sports he loves so much, says Cathy. "He believes he has all the right people taking care of him at the Children's Hospital, and is looking forward to working alongside the Kidney Foundation to find a cure for kidney disease."

"I wear kidney protection so I can play baseball - I'm the pitcher - and when I'm at bat," says Christopher, "and when I play hockey. It's important because I want to play."

Since beginning medical treatment April 10, he has been sick to the point of hospitalization only once, from July 17-25, says Cathy.

Christopher, who turns 11, Dec. 6, knows that many people with chronic kidney disease lose kidney function and require a transplant. He also knows that for many people, dialysis is the only option as there are not enough kidneys available for transplant.

"I want everyone to support the Kidney Foundation through its many fund-raisers, including the Kidney Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Harrison Park in Owen Sound," says Christopher.

The five-kilometre walk begins with registration at 9 a.m., a warm-up at 9:45 a.m., and then the walk at 10 a.m. The event helps raise money for kidney research, and programs that help support Canadians living with kidney disease.

Christopher is the local honourary chairman of the walk and reminds people of the following facts:
 

• One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease
• There is no cure for kidney disease
• Medication can slow down the progression of the disease but right now, the best that current medicine has to offer for kidney failure is dialysis and transplantation
• We have the power to change this through kidney awareness, by keeping fit and active, keeping regular control of your blood-sugar level, monitoring your blood pressure, eating healthy and keeping your weight in check
• Do not smoke, do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis, and maintain a healthy fluid intake

Christopher urges people to register to become an organ donor so that fewer people will require dialysis, and more people can receive a kidney transplant, allowing them to lead a normal life again.

He also encourages everyone to support Christopher's Crew and Christopher Pennington in the Kidney Walk, through pledges on-line at the following website:  kidney.akaraisin.com/ontariowalks2015/owensound#.VXBgX5dmPro.gmail

Christopher is going into Grade 6 at North Woods Public School in Ethel. He hopes to add basketball and soccer to his list of sports this season.