A Kidney Walk to Remember

A Kidney Walk to Remember

In 1998, kidney disease took Phil Cooper’s father. Now he wants others to learn about kidney disease before it’s too late.

Trenton, NJ – Phil Cooper knows what it is like to have kidney disease change your life. He watched his father, Theodore Cooper, spend over five years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant which extended his life five more years.

“While on dialysis, my dad did remarkably well dealing with the daily struggles that would, for many, be insurmountable challenges,” Cooper said. “He continued to travel and live life. Kidney failure doesn’t have to be the end of life.”

Phil, his family, and many employees from his Lawrenceville-based family owned and operated pest control company plan to honor Theodore’s life by taking part in this year’s Central NJ Kidney Walk. The Kidney Walk is a non-competitive stroll that raises funds to fight kidney disease through awareness, prevention and treatment programs.

Cooper Pest Solutions, started by Theodore in 1955, has already raised over $1,000 for the National Kidney Foundation this year by raffling baskets, recruiting teammates, and sending out emails to friends and families, hoping to raise not just money, but also awareness.

“The majority of people with kidney disease don’t know they have it, that’s why we need to get the word out,” said Cooper. “By getting involved we’ll continue to help the members of community that are affected by kidney disease and kidney failure.”

This year’s Kidney Walk will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2013, at ARM&HAMMER Park, home of the Trenton Thunder. The Kidney Walk will also have family-friendly entertainment including a doggie costume contest, Trenton’s Devastation Dance Crew, former NFL player and Corporate Walk Chair Joe Fields, free food, drinks, and much more.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m. To register for the 2013 Central NJ Kidney Walk, please visit www.kidneywalk.org/centralnj, or call 215-923-8611 for more information.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and tens of millions of Americans at risk. For more information on the Kidney Walk and the NKF, please visit www.nkfdv.org.

Quick Facts:

What:             The National Kidney Foundation’s Central NJ Kidney Walk

When:            Sunday, June 2, 2013. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Walk at 10:00 a.m.

Where:           ARM&HAMMER Park, 1 Thunder Road, Trenton, NJ

Details:          Register at http://donate.kidney.org/centralnj

Kidney Facts:

• More than 26 Million Americans - 1 in 9 adults – have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it.
• 73 million American adults are at risk due to high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease.
• Every 5 minutes someone’s kidneys fail.
• More than 415,000 people in the United States depend on dialysis treatment to survive.
• Of the over 116,000 Americans on the national organ transplant waitlist, more than 95,000 await a life-saving kidney.