Residents of Norway House, Manitoba are making the long trek on foot and by bicycle to Winnipeg in order to raise awareness of kidney disease. Norway House is among many rural and remote First Nations communities affected by chronic kidney disease in Manitoba.
“Kidney disease remains a growing concern in Manitoba, particularly for rural and remote communities,” said Manitoba Renal Program Medical Director Dr. Mauro Verrelli. “We are thrilled that this group is raising awareness about kidney disease and want to acknowledge the long journey they are making to do so.”
While over 130,000 Manitobans have some degree of kidney disease and over 1,500 receiving life-saving dialysis treatment, First Nations people in rural and northern Manitoba often face higher rates due to diabetes and limited access to routine primary and specialty preventative care.
“We definitely want to raise awareness about treatment options but also talk about how we can prevent or slow kidney disease and ultimately prevent dialysis altogether.”
To find out more about how to keep your kidneys healthy click here.