COCKEYSVILLE, Md.  – The National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware (NKFMDDE) will hold its 23rd annual Maryland Kidney Walk, Sunday, Oct. 19, at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (1000 Hilltop Cir., Baltimore, MD 21250).

More than 1,000 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 a healthy lifestyle for those at risk. Event proceeds directly support NKFMDDE’s local patient services, education and research efforts. 

“Funds raised from this critical opportunity will allow NKF to provide all patients with a better quality of life through research, advocacy, and increasing living kidney donation,” said NKFMDDE Executive Director Lisa Zawacki. “We need your support now more than ever; families need information and answers to stay healthy and advocate for patients who need priority access to safe dialysis and transplants.”

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at Erickson Field and the Walk kicks off at 10 a.m., following a Zumba warmup led by Tisha Guthrie (an NKFMDDE board member, health and fitness professional, and transplant recipient) and a brief opening ceremony emceed by Tiffany "Lady T" Watson (FOX45’s BMORE Lifestyle host) and featuring the family of 2025 Maryland Kidney Walk Youth Ambassador Jordan Robertson – a 21-year-old Catonsville resident who underwent a kidney transplant this July.

The Marching Elite (youth marching band), Superhero Supports, Old-Line Garrison (premier Star Wars costuming group) and Major Offense will cheer on walkers taking a 2-mile path or a shorter, patient-friendly path for strollers and wheelchairs. DJ Young Fresh Prince – a 19-year-old transplant recipient from Frederick, MD and NKFMDDE Ambassador – will return to spin tunes for the fourth year in a row.

Elle Moseley aka “Chef Mo” from Cre8tiveMindz Café – who also is a transplant recipient – will join Jimmy’s Seafood, Kona Ice and additional food trucks with refreshments available for purchase. The event also will feature water donated by UMBC, , apples donated by Shaw Orchard, pretzels donated by Wawa, interactive vendor booths and the Kidney Kids Corner with face painting, arts & crafts, games 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/maryland. To learn about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, call Graham Bryant at 410.494.8545, ext. 442. 

Top sponsors to date include Allmond & Company LLC, Mid-Atlantic Nephrology & Associates, P.A., University of Maryland Transplant Center, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center, Fresenius Medical Care, Calliditas, 2Betties, Azura Vascular Care, Independent Dialysis Foundation, Bayer Healthcare, DaVita and national partners, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Amgen, Ardelyx, Novartis and Otsuka.

The Kidney Walk is the nation's largest fundraiser to fight kidney disease. Held in more than 50 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 8th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 35.5 million adults – and approximately 90 percent do not know they have it.  Approximately 11,000 Marylanders are on dialysis and more than 3,700 Marylanders 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.