2018 NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION WALKS STEP UP AGAINST KIDNEY DISEASE | FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
As the weather begins to warm up across the country, our kidney walk fundraising efforts are heating up as well. Dozens of employee teams participated in 14 walks in May as part of our sponsorship of the National Kidney Foundation. Another 54 teams are participating in 13 walks this month, beginning in Memphis and Charlotte and ending in Indianapolis.
Our teams have raised nearly $180,000 so far in 2018 and we are well on our way to this year’s goal of $350,000. As a company, we have registered 250 teams and more than 2,000 walkers – both strong numbers toward our participation goals for the year.
Fresenius Medical Care North America CEO, Bill Valle, is serving as the National Corporate Walk Chair, representing the company and our sponsorship across all 80-plus walk markets. In late May in Atlanta, Valle and his wife Jill accepted an invitation to join the Woodstock Rockers, one of our local teams, in raising funds and walking.
“I’m so proud to be part of this. My wife and I are honored to be able to walk alongside you today,” Valle said to kick off the event. “We have 70,000 employees who I would describe in one word – caring. That is who we are, that is what our culture is all about.
“What the Kidney Foundation does holds a special place in my heart. The partnership we have with the NKF is doing so many good things for patients with kidney disease. We couldn’t be happier to be part of this partnership,” he added.
As in years past, we are seeing great representation and commitment from all parts of the organization:
- Nine of our 13 main business units have registered teams.
- Steve Merchant, Vice President, SORB Technology chaired the Oklahoma City Walk.
- Dallas is always one of our leading markets, and this year has been no exception. Twenty-three teams have raised close to $20,000.
- At the Southern Delaware Kidney Walk, KristyAn Ferracci, Patient Care Technician in Lewes, Delaware, led our local walk team that raised $3,500.
With nearly 60 walks between now and the end of the year, we are excited to witness the continued impact of our employees. Hear from NKF CEO Kevin Longino and FMCNA CEO Bill Valle on the imperative to raise awareness about kidney disease and why we walk.
