ANN ARBOR — More than 4,500 walkers and supporters are expected to participate in the annual The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s Kidney Walk at the Detroit Zoo on May 18 with hopes of raising $395,000 to support the foundation’s mission to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it.
Walkers of all ages are invited by walking individually or forming a team with family, friends, and co-workers. All walkers will receive free parking and admission to the zoo, food and refreshments, and entertainment. There will also be kids activities such as live entertainment by Radio Disney, fun contests, face painting, a temporary tattoo station, and more.
Special guests include Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell, and PAWS, official mascot of the Detroit Tigers, who will both be at the Kidney Walk to meet and greet fans.
“Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of chronic kidney disease,” said NKFM President and CEO Daniel Carney. “Since 70 percent of those cases may have been prevented, the Kidney Walk will draw attention to the importance of early detection and kidney disease prevention, while raising funds in support of kidney patients and their families.”
Carney says more than 900,000 Michigan residents are living with chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 8:30 a.m.and includes parking, zoo admission, and activities, is $20 per person (over the age of 12) and $10 per child for ages 2-12. Kids under the age of 2 years old are free.
For more information or to register, call Lisa Schutz Jelic at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at 800-482-1455, ext. 210 or visit nkfm.org/walks. On-site registration will also be accepted.
