ANN ARBOR — With the support of nearly 7,000 walkers, this year’s National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Walk at The Detroit Zoo last Sunday, raised nearly $520,000 — nearly $100,000 over last year’s event.
“The Kidney Walk is both a day of celebration for kidney patients and their families and a vital fundraiser for our organization and the people and patients we support,” says Dan Carney, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. “We cannot thank our sponsors and walk teams enough for their efforts.They are providing invaluable support to the Michigan residents living with kidney disease, which helps us provide education and prevention programs to reduce the toll of this disease.”
Carney says the increase in funds raised can be attributed to the walks newest sponsors, Henry Ford Health System and HAP, as well as an increase in fundraising efforts from previous supporters like Team Meritor and many of the wonderful family teams.
Many families walked Sunday to celebrate the good health of their loved ones after successful transplants. All walkers enjoyed fun at the zoo with music, contests, games like giant jenga, face painting, noodle art and a visit with Paws, the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers. In addition, kidney patients were treated to free haircuts, massages, giveaways, and special food (appropriate for those fighting the disease).
