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Kidney walk dedicated to deceased nurse
CANFIELD
Put on your walking shoes for the fourth annual Kidney Awareness Walk at the Canfield Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. Sept. 21.
The walk is hosted by the Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney disease, coordinated by Agustine and Donna Biscardi, a retired kidney doctor and his wife from New Castle, Pa.
The walk is dedicated to the memory of Severina Dionisio, who shared a professional and patient relationship with the Biscardis. Dionisio died due to a kidney-related illness in early September last year. She was 66.
Severina Dionisio became aware of her illness in early 2000 and required a kidney transplant. Her brother, Dom Dionisio, volunteered to donate his kidney until a tragedy occurred when his wife, Diane, died suddenly of an aneurysm while on her way to their son’s hockey game. Diane Dionisio became the unexpected donor for her sister-in-law’s transplant.
“She [Severina] fought this disease for 13 years,” Dom Dionisio said. Although unaware about the walk, Dom Dionisio said “it was a big surprise” and will attend with his other sister, Connie Dionisio.
“You can’t help but be humble about it,” he said. “I’m sure my sister [Severina] would be.”
Severina Dionisio received affection while she was a kidney patient due to her work as a nurse at St. Elizabeth Health Center for 40 years.
“She worked with kidney-disease patients and, ironically, became one,” Donna Biscardi said.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 6 out of 10 Americans will develop kidney disease in their lifetime compared with 4 out of 10 for the risks of diabetes, heart attack and cancer.
ERKF is an independent nonprofit organization that helps kidney patients with out-of-pocket costs such as medication and transportation.
ERKF will promote the walk at the Canfield Fair, 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Road, in the medical building from Wednesday to Labor Day. Fair visitors have the chance to win an iPad mini if they also attend the walk, Donna Biscardi said.
Registration takes place at 10 a.m. with a $15 fee to walk, she added. Walkers who raise a pledge of $25 will receive a T-shirt. Participants can enter a raffle prize for every pair of gently used shoes donated to ShoeBox Recyling, a for-profit shoe recycler. There will be a free picnic after the walk.
“Like all other walks ... we just want to promote awareness,” Agustine Biscardi said.