Halfway to her goal

Times Reporter

 

The Kidney Foundation is holding a Kidney March from September 10 to 12, and three Strathmore women can’t wait to be a part of it. The March begins in Kananaskis and will end in Calgary. Participants are marching or running, their choice, 100 kilometres, and there will be hundreds of people taking part. 

Hayley Poirier, Tammy Griffiths and Carol Callaghan will be participating in the March together. 

“The reason I got involved really is, one, Tammy had asked me and it sounded like a great and unique way of raising funds for this foundation,” said Poirier.  

“Each marcher has to raise a minimum of 2,200. My personal goal is $3,000. At this point I’m halfway to my goal.” She began her fundraising campaign at the beginning of August. 

Poirier runs marathons and competes in triathlons, and the Kidney March is just another addition to her already active life. Another requirement of the Kidney Foundation is that participants be physically fit to be able to do the March. 

The Kidney March set up a website giving people suggestions, training schedules, fundraising schedules and support through practice walking. “The Kidney foundation has been awesome in getting us all mentally and physically prepared for this,” said Poirier.  

“We have to be ready with all of our donations for the Thursday September 9 meeting in Calgary to send everything in and then we have to be ready on the trails Friday morning the 10.”

Participants will be bused out to Kananaskis to the starting point, and they will be given one hot meal a night and tents to sleep in. Participants also donated some money for the water, tents and snacks provided. The three Strathmore women are hoping for good weather but Poirier said they are prepared with toques and gloves.