A local Winnipeg school supported one of their own by raising funds for the third consecutive year for Organ Donor Awareness Month.

Born with kidney health issues, ten-year-old Grady Batchelor received a healthy kidney transplant from his dad in 2021. To show their love and support for Grady before his transplant, his schoolmates at École Julie-Riel ran a week-long spirit week that has since become an annual tradition celebrating kidney health. The event has raised over $4,000 for the Kidney Foundation, MB Branch’s Kidney Walk, of which Grady and his family participate under team name Grady’s Gang.

“It is remarkable that someone at such a young age can inspire hundreds of others to contribute donations to an important cause,” said Joni Tesoro, Grade 3 Teacher at École Julie-Riel.

This year’s spirit week featued a Student vs. Teacher Dodgeball Tournament, bringing together the school in friendly competition as they raised awareness and funds for kidney disease and organ donation.

“Grady had not only had an impact on the 336 students and the 40 staff members of École Julie-Riel, but he has touched the hearts of the entire school community in South St. Vital and all the Louis Riel School Division,” said Principal Lyette Carriere. “Grady’s willingness to be so open and outspoken about the need for organ donors and about kidney awareness brought hundreds of people together. He made folks aware of how they can make a difference by becoming organ donors.”