UNews - Kidney Foundation of Canada

Marching for a cause

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:28:13 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor, Richard Davidson, and his En Route 66 team have raised more than $42,000, the most money of any team, at the first ever Kidney Foundation of Canada Kidney March.

The three-day event took place Sept. 10 to 12 in the Kananaskis and brought participants from all over Canada. A total of 219 participants walked 100 km in support of research efforts to fight kidney disease. In the end, just over $900,000 was raised for the cause.

Davidson led the way as the top individual fundraiser, bringing in over $23,000, while his wife Denise and supporters of En Route 66 then upped that total to more than $42,000 with their efforts. Donations are still coming in, days after the conclusion of the event.

"Since our son's transplant almost 17 years ago, we have had the opportunity to see first hand the value of the

Chancellor Richard Davidson and his wife Denise celebrate after completing the Kidney March from Kananaskis to Calgary.

research that has been done, and in more than 20 years of volunteering with the Kidney Foundation, we have seen the way the foundation has helped people living with kidney disease in so many ways," says Davidson.

As a dedicated group, Kidney March walkers received tremendous support leading up to and throughout the event from community members, volunteers, family and friends all committed to making the first ever March a success.

"Everyone's efforts have made the event a huge success for The Kidney Foundation," says Joyce Van Deurzen, executive director of the Kidney Foundation of Canada – Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. "Our walkers, volunteers and donors came together as a community with one goal, and they made it happen. We're incredibly happy with the amount of money raised and the awareness that has been brought to the fight against kidney disease."

The walk, which included stays in two overnight camps, began in Millarville on Friday, Sept. 10 and made its way through beautiful Kananaskis Country. Hundreds of walkers ended their journey Sunday afternoon at Canada Olympic Park.

All March proceeds will go to The Kidney Foundation of Canada in support of kidney health programs, organ donation initiatives and cutting-edge medical research aimed at combating kidney disease. The Foundation hopes to build the Kidney March into a national event over the next few years. Most Canadians who are at risk of kidney disease may not even know it. Currently, two million people have chronic kidney disease or are at risk and the numbers are growing fast.

To keep informed about next year's Kidney March, call 1-866-9-KMARCH or visit www.kidneymarch.ca.

Chancellor Davidson earns city honour

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:17:48 +0000

Over the course of his life, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge chancellor Richard Davidson has served the city of Lethbridge in a number of capacities, many from the volunteer perspective. So it was only fitting that the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Herald recognized Davidson as the Lethbridge Citizen of the Year at a luncheon Monday afternoon.

"Clearly in his law practice, his work with the Chamber of Commerce, his work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and his work with virtually every other volunteer organization you could imagine, this is one cool dude," says Lethbridge mayor elect Bob Tarleck, who also presented Davidson with a key to the city. "This is the highest honour we can bestow upon anyone and Richard is extremely deserving."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor Richard Davidson and his wife Denise.

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Davidson earned both his bachelor and law degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1986 and is a partner at the law firm of Davidson & Williams, following in the footsteps of two previous generations of Davidson lawyers.

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

"This tradition has grown in importance in the community because it's our opportunity to recognize people who have been tremendous builders in Lethbridge and southern Alberta," says Tarleck of the Citizen of the Year Award.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

He was an honouree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Scholarship Dinner in March 2002, and has received numerous community service awards, including the Commemoration Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada by the Governor General in 1992, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.

Actively involved in the Lethbridge Bar Association and a current member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, the K-40 Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Country Club, Davidson's community service is extensive. He has served numerous organizations as either president, chairman or as a member of the board of directors. These organizations include: Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge; The Lethbridge Community Foundation; Lethbridge Society for Meals on Wheels; the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta; the City of Lethbridge Economic Development Advisory Committee; the Small Business Development Centre Committee; Lethbridge & District Community Futures Board of Directors; the YWCA Advisory Board; the Kidney Foundation of Canada; the Lethbridge Regional Hospital Foundation; the Lethbridge Country Club; the YMCA of Lethbridge; and the Chinook Health Region.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

"I'm blown away by all of this. I can honestly say I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent in the various volunteer activities I've pursued," says Davidson. "I'm deeply honoured. I know the people who came before me and I could not be more honoured to have my name put forward with the previous year's recipients. I am greatly honoured and very humbled."

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

Chancellor Davidson named Citizen of the Year

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:12:55 +0000

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

UNews - Kidney Foundation of Canada

Marching for a cause

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Chancellor Davidson earns city honour

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