Upcoming events in support of the next Brighton Kidney Walk to be held on September 6, 2008:

June 2008

Date TBD - Used book sale in the Towlsey Triangle to raise money to support the U of M Nephrology Team's participation in the Kidney Walk. Inquiries can be directed to Nancy Tartoni, Nephrology (ntartoni@umich.edu) or Tristan Bradley, Pediatric Nephrology (tristenb@umich.edu).

August 2008

August 9 - Antique Car Show at the Dexter A&W to raise money for the Kidney Walk. To register your antique car and join the parade, contact Erica Perry (eperry@umich.edu).

August 27 - The Division of Nephrology will partner with the National Kidney Foundation to put on a "Community Networking to Prevent Kidney Disease" fundraising dinner at Zingerman's Roadhouse. Two hundred tickets will be sold for an evening of live entertainment and great food. Ticket cost is $90 per person, of which $50 is tax deductible. Contact Nancy Tartoni (ntartoni@umich.edu).

September 2008

September 6 - The NKFM Annual Kidney Walk in Brighton. U of M Nephrology will have a tent at the event and as many walkers sporting U of M shirts as possible. If you would like to join the U of M Team, please register at one of the following sites:

www.bkwfriends.org

www.brightonkidneywalk.com

www.kidneywalk.org

The 5th Annual Brighton Kidney Walk held on September 8, 2007, was a tremendous success surpassing the $50,000 that was fund-raised last year, with donations continuing to come in.

It was extraordinary in other ways as well. The weather was fantastic. Fifteen Eastern Michigan University sorority sisters gave TLC, great champion tee shirts, Panera sandwiches, massage, face painting and nail varnishing to dialysis patients, transplant patients, donors, and to families of loved ones who died of kidney disease. The tee shirts defined Champions "not as people for whom everything goes their way, but as people constantly overcoming adversity." People with kidney disease very much appreciated this sentiment and put the tee shirt on immediately.

Many more patients and families took part in the Lap of Honor this year and walkers who fund-raised more than $1,000 were inducted into the High Strider Club. These wonderful committed folks were interviewed and we learned that one person's fiance would be transplanted four days after the walk. She introduced him and his future donor, his nephew, receiving great applause. Carol's Crew, 15 members of a family who lost their mother this year to kidney disease, talked about what an extraordinary soul she was. Charity Choir, a group of dialysis patients and staff, commemorated the loss of one of its members this year.

Our DJ, a 5-year transplant patient, got walkers dancing to his music backed by a local fraternity who joined in the fun. Walkers received great goody bags from Kroger with coupons for Panera and delicious fresh bagels and apples.

The Mayor pro tem, committee members and other volunteers, and the sorority and fraternity members all asked to be involved next year, a sure sign that the walk contributed to everyone.

The Brighton Walk Committee and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan would like to thank the University of Michigan Health System for all the support we have received in having this be the Walk that moves and is moving, a walk of commitment and caring.

For more information, please contact:
Erica Perry
eperry@nkfm.org
(800) 482-1455
http://www.nkfm.org/meijernkfm_walks.htm