Alabama Kidney Foundation

01/30/2026

📣 **Mark your calendars, Birmingham!**

The 2026 Birmingham Kidney Walk & Celebration is set for May 9th at the Spain Park High School Track, and it’s time to start forming your teams.

This is more than a walk — it’s a morning filled with fun, community, and purpose. Every dollar raised directly supports kidney patients right here in Alabama, helping provide transportation to dialysis, medications, and essential needs.

Whether you’re walking for a loved one, for awareness, or for hope, your steps matter.

💚 Free to join — register your team today:
👉 www.BirminghamKidneyWalk.org

Let’s come together, lift each other up, and make 2026 our biggest year yet.
Walk with us. Celebrate with us. Make a difference.

01/29/2026

2026 couldn’t be a better year to join the Alabama Kidney Foundation’s mission in helping make a difference for Alabamians in need as they fight kidney disease!
If you are interested in learning more about participating in the 2026 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration, join us for the annual AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon, as we officially KICK OFF the 2026 Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration fundraising season!
Mark your calendars!
• Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Luncheon
• Friday, February 20th @ 11:30a
• RSA Activity Center - Downtown Montgomery.

Reach out to shannon@alkidney.org for more information or to RSVP. We look forward to hearing from you!

01/28/2026

The future looks bright….

Robotic kidney transplant may be an option for some patients. Learn more about this novel approach to kidney surgery. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/transplant-medicine/news/robot-assisted-kidney-transplant/mac-20558698

01/27/2026

What an incredible evening we had, celebrating the Kick Off of the Wiregrass Kidney Walk and Celebration! A huge thank you to AKF State Board Member, Mike Schmitz, for rallying our Team Captains Thursday night! We had the privilege of hearing from our 2026 Honorary Chairs, Harrison and Kelton Morris, and our 2026 Patient Chair, Jason Morris. Thank you to all who joined us!

If you missed the Wiregrass Kick Off, it's not too late to get involved! If you're interested in ways to participate in the Wiregrass Kidney Walk, please contact our Wiregrass Regional Director, Abby Sparkman by emailing abby@alkidney.org

01/23/2026

🌿 Save the Date, Birmingham! 🌿

We’re excited to announce the Birmingham Kidney Walk Kickoff Lunch — a special gathering for team captains, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters as we gear up for the 2026 Birmingham Kidney Walk happening May 9, 2026.

This kickoff event is the perfect chance to connect, get important walk updates, and build momentum together. You’ll also get to meet this year’s incredible Walk Chairs, Mike and Ursala Kemp, and hear inspiring stories from our Patient Chairs, DeWayne Bailey (kidney donor) and Valerie Bailey (kidney recipient).

📅 March 4, 2026
📍 Birmingham Botanical Gardens
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

💚 Register here: https://forms.gle/SfURUnK4xngaPUzs7

Let’s unite, get inspired, and take the next step toward kicking kidney disease. We can’t wait to see you there!

01/22/2026

2026 couldn’t be a better year to join the Alabama Kidney Foundation’s mission in helping make a difference for Alabamians in need as they fight kidney disease!

If you are interested in learning more about participating in the 2026 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration, join us for the annual AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon, as we officially KICK OFF the 2026 Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration fundraising season!

Mark your calendars!
• Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Luncheon
• Friday, February 20th @ 11:30a
• RSA Activity Center - Downtown Montgomery.

Reach out to shannon@alkidney.org for more information or to RSVP. We look forward to hearing from you!

01/20/2026

We are just a few days away from kicking off the 2026 Wiregrass Kidney Walk! Are you interested in creating a walk team or getting involved with AKF to help kidney patients in the Wiregrass? Join us Thursday, January 22nd from 4:30 - 6:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton (2740 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 36301) to learn more about participating in the 2026 Wiregrass Kidney Walk.

Contact Abby@alkidney.org to RSVP or for more information on how to get involved!

01/15/2026

The Alabama Kidney Foundation honors and remembers Coach Jimmy Perry, a dedicated advocate, mentor, and friend to our kidney community.
Coach Perry proudly served as Patient Walk Chair for the Montgomery Kidney Walk in 2020 and 2021, working side by side with the late Jim Wilson, to bring awareness, compassion, and hope to those affected by kidney disease.

His leadership, generosity, and commitment to helping others will never be forgotten. We are deeply grateful for the impact he made and the legacy he leaves behind.
💚 Forever remembered. Forever appreciated.

01/15/2026

Ever wanted to get involved with AKF? Ever wanted to make a difference & have fun doing it?
Well, if you answered yes to these questions - 2026 couldn’t be a better year to join the Alabama Kidney Foundation’s mission in helping make a difference for Alabamians in need as they fight kidney disease!

If you are interested in learning more about participating in the 2026 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration, join us for the annual AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon, as we officially KICK OFF the 2026 Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration fundraising season! Mark your calendars!
• Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Luncheon
• Friday, February 20th @ 11:30a
• RSA Activity Center - Downtown Montgomery.

Reach out to shannon@alkidney.org for more information or to RSVP. We look forward to hearing from you!

01/14/2026

The Alabama Kidney Foundation honors and remembers Coach Jimmy Perry, a dedicated advocate, mentor, and friend to our kidney community.

Coach Perry proudly served as Patient Walk Chair for the Montgomery Kidney Walk in 2020 and 2021, working side by side with the late Jim Wilson, to bring awareness, compassion, and hope to those affected by kidney disease.

His leadership, generosity, and commitment to helping others will never be forgotten. We are deeply grateful for the impact he made and the legacy he leaves behind.
💚 Forever remembered. Forever appreciated.

01/12/2026

Join us next Thursday, January 22nd, as we kick off the Wiregrass Kidney Walk. Our Kick Off is an event that sets the pace for our walk season as we raise money to make a difference for those in our community that are impacted by kidney disease!

Email Abby@alkidney.org to RSVP or for more information on ways to get involved!

01/09/2026

Six months ago, I was given a second chance at life with a kidney transplant—and a deeper calling to serve.

This journey reshaped my faith, my family, and my purpose. As Patient Chair for the Huntsville region, I’m committed to advocating for kidney patients, donors, and better access to care across Alabama.

I shared our story and why this fight matters so much to me in this article.
👉 https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2026/01/how-my-wife-saved-my-life-and-faith-renewed-my-outlook-op-ed.html

Thank you to everyone who supported my family. God is good, and the work continues. 💚

To be honest, 2025 didn’t go the way I had planned.