The National Kidney Foundation (NKF)-sponsored Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest walking event to raise funds and promote awareness of kidney disease. Walks have been held in over 100 communities, with more than 85,000 participants. This year’s local Kidney Walk will be held April 29, 2017, at Saint Louis University.
The Kidney Walk is not about kidney disease. The NKF stresses that “it’s about people with kidney disease coming together, united in one cause: to celebrate life and each other.”
Last year’s event in St. Louis brought together over 1,000 patients, families and friends and raised more than $151,000. This year’s goal is $160,000. Registration is free, but participants are asked to fundraise. The average Kidney Walker raises $200. The majority of funds are raised through teams formed through companies, organizations, families, schools, friends, clubs, etc. Participants raising $100 or more are eligible for great prizes!
Funds raised for the NKF go directly to support programs and services including:
- KEEP Healthy® events at which patients are screened free-of-charge for kidney disease risk factors and are provided educational information and a clinician consultation.
- Peer support through NKF PEERS, a free telephone-based peer support program that connects chronic kidney disease patients with trained mentors who have been through a similar experience.
- Patient advocacy.
- NKF Research Grant program, which includes the Young Investigator Grants program for beginning scientists.
- “Your Kidneys and You,” a community-based education presentation of risk factors and kidney disease prevention given by volunteers.
- Educational programs and resources for patients and professionals, including the Kidney Living magazine, smartphone Apps, NKF Spring Clinical meetings, professional journals, and a vast library of printed publications on wide range of topics.
To learn more, visit www.kidneywalk.org or contact Cherie Gilderbloom at 314-961-2828 ext. 486.