One Cochrane family that has experienced a new lease on life through organ donation will march once again this year for the Kidney Foundation. Nicknamed the Kidney Sisters, five femme siblings have banded together for the annual Kidney March - which they stride, rather strive, to raise more than $11,000 for. "You don't realize how many people are affected by it," said youngest sister, Naomi Hansford, 26, who the family learned had polycistic kidney disease (PKD) when the siblings underwent testing, after dad, Fred, was diagnosed with the same genetic disease in his early 50s. The Hansford family is celebrating seven months since their father, 65, was the successful recipient of a living kidney donation, gifted by his eldest daughter Cindi Chaisson – the only daughter who met eligibility criteria. "We often joke now that he's healthier than I am," laughed Naomi, whose kidney function has fallen to 67 per cent functionality from 82 per cent since her diagnosis. For the time being, Naomi is considered to be stable, with her health currently managed by medication and diet, but if her kidney function deteriorates she too could one day require a transplant. "The unit at the Foothills Hospital that does this work on a regular basis is phenomenal," said Stacey Whitman, event organizer who is excited that their father will be able to join the rest of the sisters in their second annual walk for kidney disease and awareness – walking with his daughters part of the way and as a crew volunteer. Whitman said the care they were given by the medical team was of great relief to their mother, Lorrie, who the sisters call the "anchor of the family." "Cindi was a perfect match ... everything that needed to happen, happened," said Whitman, adding that their tightly-knit family has grown even closer post-surgery. "It took a couple of months to recover - slowly, but surely," said Cindi, 38, who had to undergo six months of genetic testing to ensure she would not also develop PKD. By the time the Oct. 18, 2017 surgery took place, Fred's kidney functioning rate plummeted to around eight per cent; had he not received the transplant when he did he would have had to receive dialysis. To date, Fred is consistently monitored, on medication and has dietary restrictions post-transplant. "There was never any point where I had any doubt, but definitely lots of times where I felt fear ... but it wasn't as hard as a lot of people think it's going be," Chaisson said, explaining that a supportive family network and "phenomenal" surgical team at Foothills helped her recovery move forward. Chaisson was off work for three months following the surgery but said that she feels great and is ready to join her sisters in the walk this year. Due to surgery prep, she was unable to walk last year. The 100-km march goes Sept. 7 to 9 this year, beginning in Millarville and finishing at Calgary Olympic Park. Naomi and Whitmore will be joined by sisters Nancy Rattray and Sara Hill, as well as Fred. Ahead of the march, the Kidney Sisters are hosting a summer fundraiser - Skating Away Kidney Disease - on July 14 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre and the sisters are calling upon anyone willing to lace up their skates and take a lap around the ice. The event cost is $5/individual and $20/family and will feature a 50/50 draw, raffle prizes and games. "I'm selfish ... I was just a little girl who wanted to save her dad," said Chaisson, adding that the "real heroes" are the people who give their organs up to complete strangers out of the kindness of their hearts. "I just figure I'll make him pay for it as the years go on," she laughed. "He calls it payback for all the trouble I was as a kid." Fred, Lorrie and Naomi Hansford live in Cochrane, as does Whitman and her family. For more information, to learn about the Kidney Sisters or to donate to the cause visit their website at thekidneysisters.weebly.com.
