When Kaidyn Blair was one-year-old, he had a liver transplant.
Since then, the 16-year-old and his family have participated in many events to raise awareness and money to boost the rate of organ donation.
In his hometown of Essex, his father Jeremy Blair says they have had success. When his family started, the donation rate there was about 18%. It's around 42% now.
"When he had his transplant, they told us you know he might stay small and he not be able to do as much as the other kids, but we've lucked out quite a bit," says Blair. "He's been athletic, plays soccer constantly. He's well prepared for it."
Saturday morning, Kaidyn and more than 100 supporters will walk from the Essex Centre Sports Complex to Windsor Regional Hospital's Metropolitan Campus on Tecumseh Rd. E. About 50 will walk the entire 26km route.
The first stretch, about 2km, will be decorated with signs to encourage Kaidyn and his fellow walkers.
This is the third year he has walked.
"The first one we did the walk to Met Hospital, and then we switched it up the next year, and we did a night walk. That one went pretty well too," says Blair. "We wanted to go back to doing the full 26km to the hospital. It helps out both Windsor and Essex and surrounding area."
The walk starts in Essex at 9am, and Blair is expected to arrive at his Windsor destination at 2:30pm.
"It is a long hike. It takes about six hours, but it's a nice scenic walk," says Blair.
The senior Blair says his family hopes to raise around $5,000 this year, money that will go to the W.E. Care For Kids Campaign to support the new Ronald McDonald House at Windsor Regional Hospital.
Donations can be made online by selecting "Kaidyn's Dream Walk".
