NEW ORLEANS (press release) – National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana’s (NKFL) 20th annual New Orleans Kidney Walk is set to kick off from a new location this year at Lafreniere Park in Metairie on Sunday, Nov. 14. More than five hundred people are expected to step up for the event to raise awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and the importance of early screening and healthy lifestyle for those at risk.
With the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure – two major kidney disease risk factors – kidney disease is on the rise. In Louisiana alone, over 16,000 are being treated for kidney failure, and over 1,800 are awaiting lifesaving transplants.
“Participating in the Kidney Walk can help save lives,” said Tracey Eldridge, Community Development and Programs Manager for the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana. “NKFL reminds walkers that it only takes two simple tests at your primary care doctor’s office to check for any red flags. That’s important, because kidneys are essential to keeping us alive and healthy. As a matter of fact, when the kidneys stop working, so do you. So, let’s give kidneys some love!”
The Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest fundraiser to fight kidney disease. Each year, walkers join the NKFL to raise over $70,000 to help kidney patients and their families. More than 81 cents of every dollar donated directly supports NKFL programs and services. NKFL urges Kidney Walk participants and the public to make an explicit commitment to “Heart Your Kidneys” by learning about the kidneys vital functions and help elevate the kidneys to the status of other vital organs such as the heart.
Fresenius Medical Care North America, the nation’s leading renal care company, and Vifor Pharma are the National Presenting Sponsors of the 2021 Kidney Walk series. The New Orleans Kidney Walk is sponsored by Bayer, Care Dx, Outfront Media, Horizon, Ochsner Kidney Care, Spruce New Orleans, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, American Renal Associates, 365 Connect, DaVita, DCI, Fifth District Savings Bank, Healthy Blue, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, New Orleans Nephrology Associates, Ochsner Multi-Organ Transplant Institute, and Xerox Corporation. Check-in for the Walk begins at 8:30AM and the non-competitive two-mile walk begins at 10:00AM. The Walk will feature a Wellness area, children’s activities, entertainment, food and beverages, and much more. To register, visit www.kidneywalk.org or call 504.861.4500 for more information. There is no registration fee, but walkers are encouraged to make a $10 donation to support families facing chronic kidney disease.
Kidney Disease Facts
30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are three times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).
The National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana (NKFL) is the major statewide voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals affected by this disease, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information about NKFL visit www.kidneyla.org.