The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware held its annual Southern Delaware Kidney Walk April 28 at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.
The event raised more than $70,000.
More than 400 participants walked from the pavilion on a three-mile route, or a shorter, patient-friendly route for strollers and wheelchairs. The event raises awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and the importance of early screening and healthy lifestyles for those at risk.
“Thanks to the generosity of the community, we are able to make a tangible difference in the lives of those suffering from kidney disease,” said Nicole Scharf, associate executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware.
The ribbon was cut by Willow Miller, a 8-year-old superstar who was born with multicystic dysplastic kidney. She had her first urinary tract infection at 9 months old, and she continued to have them very frequently. Over the years, Willow has had many procedures, and the family has learned so much about her medical complexities. Willow had a nephrectomy in 2019, when they removed her non-functioning left kidney. Despite this, she continued to have UTIs over and over.
In 2020, Willow had a life-changing procedure called a mitrofanoff. In September of that same year, she had another large surgery called a bladder augmentation.
“We walk to bring awareness to kidney disease and help raise resources for the National Kidney Foundation,” said Willow’s mom, Christina. “Our goal is for people to get tested for kidney disease; early detection equals early treatment, and it could make all the difference. We walk to draw attention to the greatest gift you can give, being a living donor. Willow, at this time, doesn’t need a kidney, and we pray she never does.”
Kidney disease is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 37 million adults. About 1,650 Delawareans are on dialysis, and more than 158 Delawareans are on the organ transplant waiting list. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history.
For more information, go to kidney.org. Go to kidneywalk.org/southerndelaware to donate.
![Getting ready for the walk are members of Team Woody’s. Shown are (l-r) Jackson Zolper, Emma Hiett, Liam Zolper, Anne Marie O’Conor, Gia Zolper, Meg DeGraft and Jimmy O’Conor and Waylon the dog. The Woody’s team raised the most with $18,000.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4975a.jpg)
![Shown attending the walk are (l-r) Justin Marino, Allyson Klink-Marino and Jackie Dorney. Allyson was a recipient of a kidney transplant from Nicole Scharf, the associate executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4615a.jpg)
![Morgan Kemp, top right, celebrates her son Dawson Davis, 5, along with his aunt Jordan Davis and her son RJ Ridgeway, 18 months.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4719a.jpg)
![Attending the event are (l-r) Blair and Missy Jones and Kathy McGuiness. Missy received a kidney donation from former Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4495a.jpg)
![Nicole Scharf, associate executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware, and Kristy Ferracci, right, community outreach manager. They both are living kidney donors.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4462a.jpg)
![Team Jill Marie gathered for a picture before the walk. Jill Ryan was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2001, fought a long battle and died in May 2023. She received a transplant through a paired exchange, including her husband, Andrew Ryan, who donated a kidney. Team members include Andrew Ryan, Rebecca Ryan; Courtney, Keith, Rayne and Jayde Jackson; Jacob, Erica, Ella and Holden Ryan; Rob, Nicole, RJ, Fabiana, Lucia, Connor, Danielle, Connor and Michael Andrews; Nolan Flanagan; Jessica, Kendall and Jamison Hill; Aubrey Frazier; Doug and Emma Stigile; Betsy and Joe Anderson; Josh Watson; Felipe Rivas; Marcus Williams; Bernard Jackson; and Amanda Brent and Maddison Bradley.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/9599a.jpg)
![Walking to support Mike Horseman are his friends and family. Shown in back are (l-r) Beverly Baker, Marth Bailey, Nicole Clasyton, Mandy and Mike Horseman, Ruby and Mark Schaeffer and Leah Hoerseman. In front is Ingrid Petterson.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4544a.jpg)
![Participating in the Kidney Walk are the Sussex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. members and friends. Shown are (l-r) Keiosha Shelton, Monique Jones, Mickeya Linzie, Sharon Hines, Jacqueline Brisco, Dana Paskins, Annette Wright, Paula Roberts, Jonae Savage-Hall and Nina Graves.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4591a.jpg)
![Walking to honor their mom mom Betty are Corina Trigger, 11; Cameron Dyson, 13; Carter Burnett, 8; and Kyle Wheatley.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4608a.jpg)
![Will Childers, owner of HomeWell Care Services in Georgetown, speaks at the event. He is a Kidney Walk platinum sponsor, and he is on dialysis.](/sites/capegazette/files/2024/04/field/image/4863a.jpg)