The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of Florida held its Orlando Kidney Walk on Sunday, April 23 at Harbor Park in Central Florida’s Lake Baldwin neighborhood. The annual kidney walk is an important fundraiser for kidney care and helps unite the community together, as well as raises awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD) to the public. Kidney walks also are an inspirational experience for those battling CKD and their loved ones.

Stakeholders from within the kidney community, including local health groups, attended the walk and Renal Care 360° was excited to participate for the first time and join the fight. Teams and individual participants met at 8:30 a.m. and held stretches, heard a few speakers, and sang the national anthem before hitting the trail. Teams came decked out in their own t-shirts and really put their best effort into the walk. The walk ended with a DJ spinning music and attendees enjoyed free snacks and beverages.

 

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All-in-all the Orlando Kidney Walk raised $58,000 for kidney care. Local restaurants in the area also donated tip jar proceeds to the cause after the event ended. Around 150 to 200 people attended the walk, showing the power a passionate group can make in the fight against kidney disease. Kidney disease is widely under-recognized in the United States. According to the NKF, CKD affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S.A. and 90 percent of those impacted may not know they have CKD. 

 

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There are numerous risk factors for CKD including diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of kidney failure, obesity, heart disease, and more. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are also a factor. Renal Care 360° works with health systems, physician groups, and uses local outreach to make a difference in patient outcomes. Awareness is an important part of transforming kidney care. 

If you want to get involved and help make a difference yourself, the National Kidney Foundation is a great resource and can be found in most states. Kidney walks organized by the foundation can be found at kidneywalk.org and are free to attend. Those who cannot attend in-person can also participate from home and still donate to the cause. You can also sign-up to be an advocate, volunteer, and partner with the nonprofit. 

Find out more information about Renal Care 360°  at renalcare360.com and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for more information on CKD and watch us transform kidney care.