Strut Your Kidney - a dash for NW Kidney Kids (Vamos a Caminar Con Orgullo Su Riñón - una carrera para “NW Kidney Kids” )

Our Strut Warrior for 2023 is...

HELEN LYNN

Once upon a time…. When I was two, I ate something that gave me E.coli. The E.coli/HUS damaged both my kidneys. After dialysis and a long wait I received my new kidney when I was four. I don't remember much but I do remember waking up and seeing this big, brownish scar across my belly.

Long before I was born, my mom worked on a train in Alaska. That's where she met many of her friends, including Aunt Tracy. Tracy is who connected us with Lori, my kidney donor and old co-worker of my mom’s. Next month we get to celebrate our eighth kidney-anniversary! 

Having a new kidney allows me to be off dialysis and I'm able to do stuff like an overnight Youth Camp with NW Kidney Kids. I'm able to walk around and play more, but I still have less energy. I have to take medications all of the time and drink so much water. It's annoying.

At NW Kidney Kids, I actually get to talk to people. I get to relate to a lot of other kids with really cool scars. This was my first year at NW Kidney Kids Youth Camp and it was amazing! I really get to feel independent. For example, I got to be a part of my medication routine, helping the nurse sort my meds at Youth Camp.

My family has been going to NW Kidney Kids Family Camp for nine years. I love Family Camp because my family also gets to relax and talk to other parents who are going through the same thing. Parents are able to give each other advice and support. The best part about Family Camp is having my sister with me.

I’m really excited about being the Strut Warrior and getting to do the countdown at the start of the race. Strut Your Kidney is always fun because my friends come out to show their support. Including some of my old friends from Medford. They drive 5 hours just to run with me, and that means a lot! :)

<3 Froggy!!!