Rhode Island Kidney Walk an Act of Love Born from Two Losses

Name: Andrea Finnerty, Executive Director

Phone: 781.278.0222 ext. 331

andrea.finnerty@kidney.org

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www.kidney.org

Rhode Island Kidney Walk an Act of Love Born from Two Losses

Providence, RI – On Saturday, September 19, the Community Kidney Walk returns to Rhode Island. It will be held at Roger Williams Park.

The event holds a very special place in the heart of Caitlin Carter, of Warwick. After the loss of her mother, Patti, to kidney failure and grandmother, Marguerite, to kidney cancer, both in 2013, Caitlin decided to work with the National Kidney Foundation to start a community kidney walk in Rhode Island to raise awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and the importance of early screening.

“This is a labor of love for me” said Caitlin. “I am privileged to be given the opportunity to fight back against this disease. I urge others to come out and help in the fight.”

Caitlin is the chair of the walk and is in charge of planning and organizing the event. She hopes to raise $25,000 and spread awareness of the disease that unfortunately took the lives of the women closest to her.

“I hope this walk will help others take the lifesaving step of getting their kidneys checked,” said Caitlin. “By participating in the Kidney Walk, we’re all helping sound the alert about the public health problem of kidney disease. There are over 73 million Americans at risk of developing kidney disease. Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure, and anyone over the age of 60 is at risk and should get their kidneys checked.”

In Rhode Island, about 1,100 people are being treated for kidney failure, and 232 people are registered and awaiting lifesaving kidney transplants.

The Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest fundraiser to fight kidney disease. Each year, more than 75,000 walkers join the NKF to raise over $8 million to help kidney patients and their families. More than 80 cents of every dollar donated directly supports NKF programs and services.

Day-of registration for the Rhode Island Kidney Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 5K walk begins at 10 a.m. To register for the Kidney Walk, form a team, or volunteer, visit www.kidneywalk.org or call 781-278-0222 ext. 332 for more information.

Quick Kidney Facts:

· 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease.

· 1 in 9 American adults has kidney disease –– and most don’t know it.

· High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney disease.

· Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States.

· Every year, kidney disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer.

The National Kidney Foundation 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 their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. Learn more about kidney disease and the Kidney Walk at www.kidneywalk.org.