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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The rain on Saturday was not going to stop the first ever Southeast Iowa Kidney Walk from taking place in Ottumwa.

Because of the weather, organizers turned the event from a walk into a gathering at the Jimmy Jones Shelter at Greater Ottumwa Park.

Organizers Jami Kaelin and Kristin Wilson, both kidney transplant recipients told KTVO that Saturday was the first step in getting more information out to the public about kidney disease.

"We have a little boy who is under a year old with kidney disease; we have a family here who lost their son, so I mean, it is just a really big thing that we hope to get everybody the support they need through this event," said Kaelin.

"You know, if you can't be here today (Saturday), obviously we have some bad weather outside. The website will still be available and you will still be able to go online and make donations or find anyone from the teams that are also listed online," said Wilson.

For more information on the Southeast Iowa Kidney Walk, click here.