Join Grady’s Gang at the Kidney Walk
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2019 (1441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Grady James Batchelor entered the world on July 26, 2012, peeing on all the doctors seconds after his delivery.
His parents, Karlee and Graham Batchelor, had known about Grady’s birth defect since halfway through their pregnancy. While in utero, Grady’s bladder had been preventing urine from being able to empty, which had caused fluid pressure to build up in his body. While he was able to relieve pressure occasionally, the prognosis was that he may need surgery at birth to repair the valves causing the partial blockage.
The family’s joy of being first-time parents was masked by sorrow and desperation for the health of their baby boy when, at two days old, Grady was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney failure. Dialysis was in their future, and, eventually, so would be a transplant.
The doctors continued to tweak Grady’s medications — balancing his blood levels and increasing his fluids to help ease the stress on his body — and after a month in hospital, Grady finally got to go home.
It’s been almost seven years and Grady continues to prove he is exceptional. He is consistently monitored and provides his family with optimism. They know their journey with kidney disease is far from over. They collectively pray that Grady will be able to take everything he is given with positivity. They also hope that he will learn to lean on the support of his amazing family, friends, doctors and the kidney community in his time of need.
One in nine people in Manitoba lives with kidney disease.
For more than a decade, thousands of participants have taken steps to make a difference in the lives of Manitobans affected by kidney disease. The Kidney Walks are an opportunity for all those affected by kidney disease — and their support networks — to come together to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and organ donation.
In 2017, Grady Batchelor and his family were the Kidney Walk champions of the year. As champions, Grady and his mom opened the Winnipeg Kidney Walk by cutting the ceremonial start-line ribbon; a tradition the Kidney Foundation honors every year with a new champion family. The Batchelor team, named Grady’s Gang, will be one among others at our 2019 Kidney Walks. The Kidney Walk events are perfect for the whole family and are designed for all mobility types. Sign up as an individual or form a team with your network.
When people come together, they realize they are not alone. Find out more information at www.kidneywalk.ca or call 204-989-0807.
Kidney Foundation
The Kidney Foundation develops programs, services, research opportunities and awareness campaigns that have had a positive impact on the millions of Canadians living with, or at risk of developing kidney disease. Its national research program is one of the most important sources of funding for scientists conducting kidney-related research. We are also committed to providing education, information and support about kidneys and kidney disease.