By National Kidney Foundation
DELMAR, Md. – The National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware (NKFMDDE) will hold its 16th annual Northern Delaware Kidney Walk, Sunday, Oct. 20, at Glasgow Park (2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702).
More than 300 people are expected to step up at this family-friendly event, which raises awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and the importance of early screening and healthy lifestyle for those at risk. Event proceeds directly support NKFMDDE’s local patient services, education and research efforts.
“We believe in the power of community and the lasting impact all of us can make toward a common goal – kidney equity for all! Join us at the Northern Delaware Kidney Walk to raise the funds needed to provide patients with a better quality of life,” said Prayus Tailor, MD, nephrologist at Nephrology Associates, P.A. and NKFMDDE’s Delaware Leadership Committee chair. “Your participation will help us to give families the information they need to stay healthy and advocate for patients who need priority access to vaccinations, safe dialysis and transplants.”
Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at Pavilion 5 and the Walk kicks off at 10 a.m., following a warm-up by University of Delaware Renal Rehab and brief opening ceremony featuring the family of 2024 Northern Delaware Kidney Walk Youth Ambassador Dawson Lee Davis – a five-year-old Dover resident who was born with unilateral renal agenesis and just one kidney.
Participants can choose between a 2.6-mile route or a shorter route for strollers, wheelchairs and pets. The event also features music by DJ Manny Mann, other stage entertainment, refreshments by Kona Ice, Bagelmania, Giant, Oppy and NaNa’s Cotton Candy; interactive vendors and community booths such as Home Depot, Balto Farms and Gift of Life. The Kidney Kids Corner will offer arts & crafts, pumpkin decorating and more!
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to support and educate the community. Everyone who raises a minimum of $100 will receive a commemorative Walk T-shirt. Additional recognition gifts will be awarded for meeting various fundraising levels. For online registration, visit www.kidneywalk.org/northernde.
To learn about local sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, call Nicole Scharf at 410.726.8732 or email Nicole.Scharf@kidney.org. To date, top sponsors of the Northern Delaware Kidney Walk include ChristianaCare, Calliditas, Graile, Nephrology Associates, We Work for Health, Wilmington University and national partners, Amgen, Alexion, Novartis and Otsuka.
The Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest fundraiser to fight kidney disease. Held in more than 70 communities, thousands of walkers join NKF annually to raise over $10 million to help kidney patients and their families each year. More than 84 cents of every dollar donated directly supports NKF programs and services.
About Kidney Disease & NKF Kidney disease is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 37 million adults – and approximately 90 percent do not know they have it. Approximately 1,650 Delawareans are on dialysis and more than 158 Delawareans are on the organ transplant waiting list. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history.
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis and transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.
