Why I Run
Right now, 37 million American adults are living with kidney disease, and I’m not okay with that. I walk because 1 in 3 people are at risk for kidney disease. I run because more than 1 in 7 people have it but aren’t aware.

I walk to raise funds that 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.

My personal story:

My big sister Jenny, who was a D1 college athlete, active, and healthy her whole life had no signs of health issues.  When she was 35 years old, a routine checkup with a new doctor resulted in abnormal kidney function, which came as a total shock.  How could someone so young and healthy have abnormal kidney function? This is where her battle with chronic kidney disease began. 

After many rigorous tests, diet and lifestyle changes, and being closely monitored, at 39 years old, Jen’s kidney function dropped to the threshold where she was placed on the UNOS list to receive a new kidney.  Since this process is unknown and could take years, our family spent the next 2 years searching for a living donor, first within our immediate family. During this time, I spent countless hours reading about kidney disease, transplants, and donation via the National Kidney Foundation.  In a time where I felt like I couldn’t do anything to help my sister, I wanted to do something to give back.  So I joined Team Kidney Moves to raise funds while training for the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon.

Fast forward to February 10th, 2024 when Jenny received a phone call at midnight from the John’s Hopkins Transplant team.  There was a kidney for her.  Nearly 17 hours later she was in surgery receiving her new kidney.  Our family barely had time to process what was happening.  

24 hours post surgery, Jen’s kidney function had improved to levels we could not comprehend.  We were relieved, grateful, and in awe of modern medicine. Day by day, month by month, her kidney function continued to improve and now has reached highs similar to that of someone who was not a transplant recipient!  Our family holds a special place in our hearts for Jen’s donor and family.  One day this person decided to be an organ donor and this has been life changing for my sister.  Kidney (and all organ) donors are angels and life savers. 🧡

Along with her numbers being beautifully within range of a healthy individual, she had a new sense of energy, something she hadn’t felt in decades.   As we celebrate her 10 month kidneyversary, I can’t help but feel grateful for the kidney community. It is because of the NKF that people like my sister can have wonderfully successful transplant stories and a second lease on life.  Jenny is back to living without worry and able to enjoy and live life to the fullest. 

The NKF holds a special place in my heart.  I want every kidney patient to have a success story just like my sister.  This is why I have joined Team Kidney Moves once again to raise funds for kidney patients across the USA, this time for the 2025 NYC Half Marathon. 

Let’s be kidney warriors together! 🧡🧡🧡

Check out this article written by USA Lacrosse Magazine! ⬇️
https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/college/women/yorks-jen-muston-all-way-back-after-kidney-transplant?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaafV2k18Dmle2UG7y1hm2KblGc1kZyAnWN6eZ_KkpZj-TCjfdo8Ps5t918_aem_-V4rE8UvzLIiyleetolHig