WORLD NEWS – CANADA: In Montreal a milestone day unfolded as the PKD walk reached its 10th anniversary, drawing families, volunteers and patients from across the island to raise funds and awareness for polycystic kidney disease. The annual event organized by the PKD Foundation of Canada doubled as a celebration of resilience and a public spotlight on the life-saving role of organ donation and transplant in the PKD community. Crowds gathered to honor those affected and to press for better care and research.
At the center of the story was the Montreal chapter coordinator, a long-serving grassroots leader who spent much of 2024 attending the walk virtually from a hospital bed while undergoing a liver and kidney transplant. She returned in person this year to receive a medal from the National Assembly of Quebec, a dramatic testament to the power of transplantation to restore life and purpose. Organ transplant was foregrounded throughout the day, and the coordinator publicly expressed gratitude to her donor and recommitted to the cause.
Polycystic kidney disease was underscored as the urgent medical backdrop. The disorder causes uncontrolled growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys and often progresses to kidney failure, making kidney transplant a common and critical intervention for many patients. The PKD Foundation of Canada estimates that one in every 500 Canadians is affected, a statistic that framed the walk’s message about the scale of need for donors, treatments and systemic support.
Organizers and participants vowed to keep building momentum, aiming for improved treatment options and ultimately a cure. Volunteers who have stood with the walk since its inception were celebrated alongside patient advocates such as Louisa and many families who travel to Montreal each year. The event combined commemoration with clear goals: honor donors, showcase the lifesaving impact of transplantation and rally volunteers and policymakers to accelerate progress for people living with PKD.
