COLUMBUS — This fall, central Ohio residents have the chance to make every step count in the fight against kidney disease. Registration is now open for the 15th annual Central Ohio Kidney Walk which gives local residents, loved ones, volunteers, and businesses the opportunity to join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of those affected by kidney disease. We believe in the power of community and the lasting impact all of us can make toward a common goal – kidney equity for all!
“The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is a lifeline for thousands of patients with all stages of kidney disease and supports thousands of volunteer fundraisers through NKF Kidney Walks held in nearly 70 communities across the country. Every step our walkers take raises millions of dollars for NKF programs for patients, innovation in research, awareness campaigns, and legislative change. We need your help now to give families the information and answers they need to achieve optimal kidney health and advocate for patients who need access to dialysis and transplants,” said Chris Artinian, COO and president of Bibibop.
NKF’s Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest walk to fight kidney disease and a signature community fundraiser for the NKF that provides an opportunity for families affected by kidney disease to join together in hope and solidarity. Funds raised through participant support allow the NKF to launch public educational awareness campaigns that shine a bright light on kidney disease, a national public health crisis affecting 37 million Americans, particularly among communities of color.
Therefore, these events are critical to NKF’s Kidney Equity strategy to combat health disparities and advocate for change because it’s troubling that people of color with kidney disease have a higher risk of adverse outcomes with Black or African American people representing 13% of the U.S. population but make up 35% of those with kidney failure. And Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people. Research shows that societal factors also influence health, such as poverty, education, food insecurity, and housing so a person’s zip code, not genetic code, can be a bigger factor in developing kidney disease. Recognition of these social issues reflects a broader call by NKF to re-examine institutional policies and practices and to identify where structural racism affects the risk of developing kidney disease and overall kidney healthcare. To that end, we’re also funding new kidney disease treatments to get them to patients faster and ensuring that the public and medical professionals have access to the latest science on kidney health. Individuals can sign up to participate in the NKF Kidney Walk at www.kidneywalk.org/centralohio and create a personal fundraising page to help raise money for the cause. than 86 cents of every dollar donated directly supports NKF programs and services. The Central Ohio Kidney Walk is generously sponsored locally by Bibibop Asian Grill.
For more information about the NKF Kidney Walk or the National Kidney Foundation, visit www.kidneywalk.org/centralohio or contact Megan Haggerty at [email protected]
Submitted by the National Kidney Foundation.
