Audrey Keith-O’Connor made the trek from her home in West Nipissing all the way to Toronto to celebrate her grandson Noah’s fourth birthday, as the boy and his mother Heidi Ménard must remain near the hospital as he awaits a combined kidney and liver transplant. Photo by Kaitlyn Black Photography 
Students and staff at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School took part in the Walk for Noah. 
The book Noah the Little Otter and the River That Wouldn’t Stop Flowing, by author Anna Klimentova, is inspired by Noah and Heidi Ménard, who will benefit from the proceeds.
Suzanne Gammon
Tribune
Audrey Keith-O’Connor recently celebrated her grandson Noah’s 4th birthday with him in Toronto, where he has spent the last two years of his young life at Ronald McDonald House and Toronto’s Sick Kids’ Hospital as he fights a rare kidney disease and now waits for a combined kidney and liver transplant. The retired teacher is grateful that her community in West Nipissing has been supporting efforts to help Noah and his mom, Heidi Ménard, who faces financial pressure to stay by her child’s side. That support most recently manifested as hundreds in the community took part in the Walk for Noah, hitting the pavement to raise funds for the youngster.
When Keith-O’Connor put out the call for people to register online and walk anywhere on June 13 and 14, she had no idea just how many people would turn up. In addition to hundreds taking part virtually, friends, family and former colleagues gathered at the Northern Secondary School / E.s.p. Nipissing Ouest parking lot on Saturday morning, June 13, to walk together for Noah. Students and staff from Jeunesse-Active, where Keith-O’Connor was a teacher for years, gathered with her on Friday, June 12 to do the same. On the same day, staff and students from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School walked for Noah and also ran a little market, raising $600 for the family.
The donations will come in handy, as Noah and Heidi now have to find new accommodations in Toronto as their stay is coming to an end at the Ronald McDonald House. With the rising cost of living and rent, and the need to stay close to the hospital, it’s an expensive but necessary endeavour. Noah has already endured more than 15 surgeries, daily treatments and continues to undergo monthly procedures as he waits for a transplant.
