Why I’m Fundraising for the National Kidney Foundation

Did you know that 35.5 million American adults are living with kidney disease? That’s a number I can’t ignore, and it’s why I’m running the MDI Marathon. Kidney disease affects 1 in 3 people, yet more than 1 in 7 individuals with the condition don’t even know it.

I’m running to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation—an organization that has led the charge in recognizing kidney disease as a distinct, treatable condition. They pioneered the staged system of diagnosis and treatment, now the global standard, and continue to develop and update critical guidelines that improve patient care.

This cause is deeply personal for me. On February 1st, 2024, my mother was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease. Her kidneys are no longer functioning properly, and she now depends on dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. This diagnosis has turned our world upside down, but we’re holding on to hope thanks to the support and advancements made possible by organizations like the National Kidney Foundation.

I’m asking for your support in helping to fund life-changing research and care. Please consider donating to my fundraising efforts to help make these advances possible and provide hope to millions of families affected by kidney disease.