Astounded Community Clubs Together: West Nipissing Supports Boy Battling Rare Renal Disorder
Live, laugh, and lend a hand – that's what the good folks of West Nipissing are all about! And right now, they're pulling out all the stops to support local kid Noah Plouffe, who's been battling a rare kidney disease since birth.
Now almost three, Noah and his mom Heidi have been living away from home at the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto for nearly a year, braving daily treatments at the Hospital for Sick Children. Born with Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), an ultra-rare genetic disorder affecting just 1 in 20,000 little ones, Noah's already had one kidney removed, and a second went under the knife over a year ago.
But despite the challenges, this little trooper never fails to put a smile on everyone's face, from hospital staff to other residents at the Ronald McDonald House. According to his proud mama Heidi, "He's just so happy, despite everything. That's amazing."
Doctors advise that Noah won't qualify for a transplant until his vessels grow larger, which could take another year or so. In the meantime, he relies on essential hemodialysis treatment that's nothing short of life-saving. So, as the community preps to pull together for a cause close to their hearts, every penny counts.
That's where Noah's grandma Audrey Menard comes in. She's organizing a community walk on June 14 to raise funds for medical supplies and living expenses. The walk will start at 175 Ethel St., and though rain or shine, participants are welcomed with a $20 donation.
Want to help these extraordinary people? Pre-register for the walk at https://forms.gle/U4V8WwNhTZvohrHv6 or simply visit local businesses like Sturgeon Falls Printing on King Street, who've made flyers and even started selling special t-shirts with all profits going straight to Noah's family.
But it's not just the adults pitching in. Students from École secondaire publique Nipissing Ouest have been going door-to-door collecting donations for Noah's cause. It just goes to show that good things come in small packages, and when a community rallies around its own, there's no limit to what they can achieve!
It's a long road ahead for Noah and his family, but with a community this strong, they know they've got a whole town cheering them on every step of the way. And as Heidi puts it, "We're definitely just blown away by all of the support. I just feel so, so blessed." Rock on, West Nipissing!
- Highlighting Noah's resilience, despite his chronic kidney disease and frequent hospitalizations, his bright and cheerful attitude spreads joy to hospital staff and fellow residents at Ronald McDonald House.
- With Noah not yet eligible for a transplant due to his vessels not being fully developed, he relies on essential hemodialysis treatments, exemplifying the critical role such treatments play in managing chronic medical conditions.
- In an effort to support Noah and his family, his grandma Audrey Menard has organized a community walk on June 14, calling for participants to contribute $20 to gather funds for medical supplies and living expenses.
- Alongside the community walk, local businesses like Sturgeon Falls Printing are selling special t-shirts, with proceeds directly benefiting Noah's family, symbolizing a unique fusion of health and wellness, fitness, and exercise with a worthy cause.
- Demonstrating the altruism of the younger generation, students from École secondaire publique Nipissing Ouest are collecting donations door-to-door, epitomizing the shared commitment of the community towards mental health, neurological disorders, and other chronic diseases.
