Reclaiming Life: Katie’s Triumph Over Kidney Disease and Her Return to Running

Katie Skidmore has always been up for a challenge. Growing up as an avid swimmer, sometimes training up to ten times a week, she thrived on pushing herself. Running became a new personal challenge, and in April 2023, she completed her third half-marathon distance on a treadmill. Just two weeks later, without any warning, she went into kidney failure at the age of 36.

What started as feeling unwell while on a work trip led to a whirlwind of hospital visits. Initial tests suggested a kidney infection, but within days, her condition spiralled. Her kidney function rapidly declined and within days her kidneys were dead. 

The Silent Threat of Kidney Disease

Katie’s story highlights a stark reality – kidney disease impacts people of all ages, is incurable, and often progresses silently. According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, approximately one in ten Canadians have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and many are unaware until they are in a critical state. 

Unlike some conditions with clear warning signs, kidney disease can be insidious, often going undetected until intervention is urgent. Risk factors can include diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history of kidney disease. Early detection is critical as preventative measures can prolong good organ function and delay the need for more invasive treatment such as dialysis. The foundation encourages early testing for those with risk factors and offers an online risk assessment tool on their website. 

Finding Hope in Community

As Katie faced dialysis, a gruelling regimen that controlled her fluid intake, restricted her diet and chained her to hours of medical treatments each week, she knew she had to take action.

“I’m quite an action-oriented person,” Katie explains. “After my time in the hospital, I thought, ‘How do I save my life?’ The best chance is a kidney transplant.”

For those who reach end-stage kidney failure, a transplant is the best treatment option. In Ontario, the majority of people waiting for an organ transplant are in need of a kidney. Fortunately, living kidney donation is a viable, and often critical, option. Healthy individuals can donate one of their kidneys to someone in need, without significant risk to their own health, something that changed Katie’s life. 

In Katie’s case, it was her father’s cousin Jay who enthusiastically stepped up to be her donor. He was unwavering in his commitment, driving from Hamilton to Ottawa for countless tests, determined to donate his kidney.

Throughout her treatments, Katie also sought out the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Unsure of what to expect, she walked into the Ottawa chapter feeling lost and alone, as no one around her could really understand what she was going through. “I just showed up, basically in tears, and met my whole local community there. They understood me in a way no one else could,” she says. “That meeting was a turning point. After that, I was ready to reclaim as much of my life as I could, even while on dialysis.”

The Kidney Foundation provided her with emotional support, resources, and guidance. The organization plays a critical role in advocating for patients, providing financial support for transportation, and even offering camps where those on dialysis can enjoy a much-needed escape. Beyond that, they’re also a leading source of innovative research funding in the field of kidney disease and transplantation.

The Road to Recovery and Running Again

After receiving Jay’s kidney, Katie’s road to recovery was far from easy. Complications kept her in and out of the hospital, slowing down her return to normal life. But five months post-transplant, she’s determined to regain her strength, starting with running again.

“I’m barely running, to be honest, just easing in with five-minute slow jogs on the treadmill. But I realized that I can set goals again, even small ones,” she says. That’s why she’s committed to running in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025 as part of the Kidney Foundation’s team.

“I see so many people at races overcoming challenges, whether it’s cancer, mental health struggles, or disabilities. So many people have reasons they’re running and things we don’t know about…so I don’t think kidney failure should be a reason why I don’t run.”

Running for a Cause

The Kidney Foundation is rallying a team for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2025 to raise funds and awareness. Their goal is to have 20 runners on their team and to raise $5,000. Every dollar raised helps support programs that provide education, patient assistance, and research to improve kidney health.

How You Can Help

March 13, 2025, marks World Kidney Day – a time to raise awareness about kidney health and organ donation. There are many ways to support this cause:

• Run with or Donate to the Kidney Foundation team at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend here. 
• Register to become an organ donor at BeADonor.ca.
• Consider becoming a living donor to help save a life.

This spring, Katie won’t just be running for herself; she’ll be running for the thousands of Canadians affected by kidney disease, and other quiet struggles people live with every day. Kidney failure doesn’t define her, it’s just a part of her story. And now, she’s ready to take the next step.