National Kidney Foundation- Maryland and Delaware

09/26/2025

Show Your Spirit, Earn Your Gear!
As we ramp up for the upcoming Maryland Kidney Walk on 10.19, we want you to show your team pride and earn rewards along the way.

Create custom shirts, sweatshirts, and more for your team. Choose from our Kidney Walk designs or upload your own. A portion of every purchase supports NKF programs and helps move our mission forward. As you fundraise, you’ll unlock exclusive prizes:
$100 - Official Kidney Walk T-shirt
$250 - Collapsible water bottle
$500 - Cap or Beanie
$750 - Crewneck
$1,000 - Performance ¼ Zip and entry into the Top Fundraisers Club with a special long-sleeve shirt

After the Walk, you’ll receive an email with details on how to claim your prize at the level you reached. Get started today as you register, fundraise, and design your gear. Every shirt, every dollar, and every step makes an impact in the fight against kidney disease. It all starts at https://willpromo.com/nkf_teamstore/shop/home. You don't want to miss out on this chance to show your team spirit!

09/25/2025

09/25/2025

"Delaware Kidney Walk held at Cape Henlopen State Park"
Raising funds and awareness in fight against kidney disease
By: Ellen McIntyre, Cape Gazette

About 360 people laced up their sneakers and took a step for change at the 17th annual Delaware Kidney Walk, held Sept. 21 by the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware at Cape Henlopen State Park. The event, which featured the choice of a three-mile route or a half-mile, patient-friendly route, garnered a total of $50,000, though the amount is expected to reach $63,000 with the funds from several outstanding sponsorships. The proceeds directly support research, earlier diagnoses and treatments for people fighting kidney disease.

“It’s personal for me because I’m a living kidney donor,” said Nicole Scharf, senior program director at the NKF. “It is about bringing together the community, whether that be people who’ve been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, people who are on dialysis, people waiting for a transplant [or] those who have already received the gift of life via transplant, to honor folks, celebrate them.”

The annual event raises not just money, but also awareness – of kidney disease, organ donation and the importance of early kidney screening and healthy lifestyles for those at risk. According to Scharf, more than 2,500 Delawareans are on dialysis, including about 500 who are actively listed on a kidney transplant waiting list. Kidney disease is known as a silent killer, because there are often no symptoms in its early stages. If and/or when symptoms appear later on, it may be too late to stop the disease or slow its progression. Folks are encouraged to be proactive and get early kidney screenings, which entail simple blood and urine tests, through a primary care doctor or at one of the NKF’s free screenings. The organization’s next free local screening is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 25, at the CHEER Center in Georgetown, and is in conjunction with TidalHealth.

Scharf also encouraged people to consider becoming living kidney donors. “There’s a lot of testing involved, [and] you have to be healthy enough, but a lot of people don’t know that’s an option,” she said. “They can donate one kidney, because we have two and only need one. Unfortunately, kidney disease is growing,” Scharf said. “It’s an epidemic. We’re going to keep going until those numbers improve, and we can get more people transplanted, more people diagnosed with early detection, and hopefully create a future where dialysis isn’t needed, and people can live healthier lives without having to worry about kidney disease.”

https://www.capegazette.com/article/delaware-kidney-walk-held-cape-henlopen-state-park/296448

09/24/2025

MD Kidney Walk Alert 📢
JUST 25 days away!

Every step we take makes a difference. Walking isn’t just symbolic, it fuels programs, empowers patients, honors donors, and drives change for the 1 in 3 at risk for kidney disease.

Join us on Sunday, October 19th at UMBC Erickson Field for a powerful day of purpose, connection, and community. We will walk together as ONE to support kidney patients, celebrate loved ones, and raise awareness for kidney health in our community.

To register, navigate to www.kidneywalk.org/maryland

09/23/2025

🌟 Team Captain Tuesday🌟
Judy Edwards-Thrower - Team ThrowerGirl

“The Kidney Walk means so much to me. I’m walking with people that are going through or have gone through the same disease as me. I get to meet and fellowship with new people, it’s like we are FAMILY.”

These heartfelt words come from Judy Edwards Thrower, proud captain of Team ThrowerGirl for the past three years. For Judy, being a team captain is rooted in faith. Her motivation comes from God, and her role is to build confidence, encourage others, and carry each other’s burdens with love and strength.

Judy’s kidney journey began on June 24, 2022. During a routine checkup, her primary doctor noticed her kidney levels were high and referred her to a specialist. That is when she met Dr. Rochelle Cunningham, who Judy calls “the best.” After additional testing, including a genetic swab she completed herself, Judy received the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The genetic test revealed she had Gr1 and Gr2, meaning high protein levels and hypertension. Her protein levels were nearly 1,000, and she was immediately placed on a 72 gram protein restriction. From that day forward, Judy had to change her diet. It was not easy, but with determination she worked hard to manage her health. Throughout it all, Judy’s husband has been her rock, standing by her side through every change and challenge. And her son gave her the words she carries closest to her heart: “Ma, you have two things in life, a choice and a chance.” For Judy, that means choosing health each day and embracing every step in faith.

Being part of the Maryland Kidney Walk brings Judy strength and joy. It reminds her that she is not alone, that there is a whole community walking beside her. “ You can join Judy and Team ThrowerGirl at the 2025 Maryland] Kidney Walk. Register by navigating to https://www.kidneywalk.org/maryland

09/23/2025

Hundreds of people gathered in the Cape Henlopen State Park for the 17th annual Delaware Kidney Walk. CoastTV's Madeleine Overturf joined the event to emcee!

09/23/2025

Over the weekend, employees & families participated in the 2025 Delaware Kidney Walk in support of Team Jordyn 🧡 We are proud to support one of our own!

09/23/2025

Learn how Dr. Eduardo Santiago Delpín built Puerto Rico’s transplant program and advanced kidney care across Latin America.

09/22/2025

"Delaware Kidney Walk steps off in Cape Henlopen State Park"
By: Madeleine Overturf, CoastTV News

LEWES, Del. — The 17th annual Delaware Kidney Walk took place Sunday at Cape Henlopen State Park, bringing together hundreds of people to raise awareness and funds for kidney disease—an often overlooked health threat that affects millions nationwide.

Nicole Scharf, senior program director, has organized the event for 13 years and says the walk continues to grow in both participation and impact. “This walk is to support the 37 million people across the U.S. that either suffer with kidney disease, are on dialysis, need a kidney transplant, or are family members, caretakers, or living donors,” said Scharf. This year’s walk raised more than $47,000. The money helps fund kidney disease research, early diagnosis, and improved treatment options for patients. "Unfortunately, the number of people with kidney disease is also growing, so that's not the right direction," Scharf told CoastTV. "But the support of particularly Sussex County and this community, they always show up in droves. They are always the most supportive, and we just couldn't be more grateful."

The event kicked off at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21 and featured music, informational booths, and community-led fundraising teams. Scharf emphasized the often-silent nature of kidney disease, noting that it's the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, ranking above breast and prostate cancers. Participants signed posters with motivational messages or their inspiration for walking. “Out of those 37 million folks that are estimated to have kidney disease, about 90 percent of them don’t know it,” she said. “That’s one in seven people who don’t know. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, you’ve got to get those kidneys checked.” Scharf also encouraged people over the age of 60 to talk with their doctors about kidney health, as age can naturally reduce kidney function.

CoastTV was a proud media sponsor of the event. Madeleine Overturf served as emcee. The Delaware Kidney Walk is part of a national effort by the National Kidney Foundation to raise money and awareness for kidney health. The event’s slogan, "One Step Can Fuel Lifesaving Change," underscores the idea that even a small action—like walking—can create a ripple effect of hope and support for those affected.

https://www.coasttv.com/news/delaware-kidney-walk-steps-off-in-cape-henlopen-state-park/video_0c4e9a9f-88d0-575d-ae3e-c7175d7c9690.html

09/22/2025

Learn how NKF is advocating for patient-centered dialysis care, home dialysis access, and Medical Nutrition Therapy under CMS’s 2026 rule.