Why I Run
My husband, Pete began to have kidney issues at an early age.  As a child an infection from tonsilitis caused him to develop a form of kidney disease that has no cure. It’s a disease that slowly develops and causes few symptoms in its early stages, so we didn’t realize how much it had progressed until we were informed that he needed to be put on the transplant list. We also learned that the wait time to receive a donated kidney could take up to seven years or more, so we wanted to learn as much as we could about how to prolong the need for dialysis and a transplant. Thanks to resources like the National Kidney Foundation, we found ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle that has enabled him to keep his kidneys working while waiting to be transplanted. Now a family friend has come forward to be a possible donor and Pete has a chance to live a normal life, but I know not everyone is as fortunate.

This is why I am running in the 2024 New York City Marathon in November as part of Team Kidney. I am running to raise awareness of the need for donors as well as support the National Kidney Foundation, who was the first to identify kidney disease as a distinct, treatable illness. They developed the staged system of kidney disease diagnosis and treatment – a worldwide standard today – and release and update treatment guidelines to improve patient care.

Please join me in making these advances possible by donating to my efforts and/or sharing on social media. Any amount, big or small, can help make a difference in someone’s life.
 
Thank you for your support!

UPDATE: I’m pleased to share that Pete’s donor wound up being a match and the surgery was a success!  Thanks to his donor’s kind and selfless act, Pete’s life has been saved. Please help me pay it forward by supporting The National Kidney Foundation in their efforts to educate and raise awareness.