Cool Beans Team Exceeds Donation Goal and Participates in NKF “Virtual Walk”

Congratulations to the Cool Beans team, who raised over $8095 for the National Kidney Foundation annual St. Louis Kidney Walk 2020, 134% of their goal of $6000, and kudos to Jane Hughes, transplant coordinator and co-captain of the team, who was the third highest individual donor, raising $2025.   The Cool Beans Team is a merger of WashU Nephrology and BJC-WashU Transplant teams who walked individually in previous years.

Although the actual walk was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the St. Louis chapter of the NKF encouraged members to participate in their own “virtual kidney walk.”

“I just want to thank everyone on the team for their hard work and enthusiasm,” says Dr. Anubha Mutneja, another co-captain of the team.  “We have exceeded our goal for donations, and we were one of the top three fundraising teams.  Strong work, everyone!  Hopefully, next year we can make it even more successful!”

Kidney Walks are a vital source of support that provide real-time assistance for those in need. Eighty cents of every dollar donated goes to research, patient services, professional education, public health education and community services.  This year, the St. Louis Kidney Walk fundraiser achieved 91% of its goal of $160,000.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who became a “Cool Bean” and donated to the NKF,” says co-captain Karen Meredith, clinical nurse coordinator of the Renal Outpatient Office.  “We hope to see everyone in person at the Kidney Walk in 2021!”

Since April is donate life month, co-captain Jane Hughes would like to include this quote from UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing: “Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant.  But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope, and a terrible loss becomes a gift.”

“It was an honor to have been a part of such a great team,” says Hughes.  “Stay strong, stay healthy and stay home!”