Taking steps to improve kidney health: Walk and 5K to help fight silent epidemic

Submitted by the Kidney Foundation of Western New York 

Hundreds of Western New Yorkers will gather at the Buffalo Outer Harbor on Sunday, June 23, to support people with kidney disease and raise awareness. The Walk for Kidney Health is the largest annual event for members of the area’s kidney community, families, friends and medical providers.

“We’re excited to bring together so many people to raise awareness about kidney health and support people with kidney disease,” said event co-chair Thomas Noonan. “As a transplant recipient myself, I’m grateful for the healing power of kidney donation and know the importance of timely diagnosis and medical treatment.”

The walk and a 5K that morning will benefit the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. The local nonprofit foundation offers education and assistance to patients, organizes free health screenings, and increases community understanding of kidney disease.

Nearly one in eight Western New York adults have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Many others have undiagnosed kidney problems. A person can permanently lose most of their kidney function before noticing symptoms, so awareness and medical testing are important for those at increased risk. Someone who reaches kidney failure will require dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.

Kidney disease is considered a silent epidemic, as it is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S., but remains underdiagnosed and often goes untreated. Detecting problems early can improve outcomes for people with kidney disease. Awareness and education give people opportunities to slow the progression of kidney disease, explore treatment options, and improve their quality of life.

The June 23 event will include a 5K at 8 a.m., a one-mile fun walk at 9:30 a.m., outdoor games, health information and a basket raffle. Participation in the walk is free, but advance registration is requested at www.kfwny.org/walk or by calling 716-529-4390.

The Kidney Foundation of Western New York works to increase awareness of kidney disease, provide education on kidney health, and support patients and their families. The locally based nonprofit serves Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee and Orleans counties.