National Kidney Foundation of Maryland Honors Anne Arundel Volunteers

LUTHERVILLE, Md. – The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) recently held its annual Volunteer Awards Reception at The Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Nephrology Associates, the Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, the event recognized individuals and organizations for their time and hard work in the fight against kidney disease, which remains #9 in the top 10 causes of death.

“We could not exist without our volunteers whose efforts help us to make the community aware of the life-sustaining role the kidneys play in their health, and of the risk factors and real dangers presented by kidney disease,” said NKF-MD Board Chairman Christopher Simon. “Only this awareness will enable those at risk to prevent the onset of early stage illness and those with early kidney disease from experiencing organ failure.”

With WJZ-TV’s Ron Matz as emcee, NKF-MD presented 30 awards, including the following four awards to Anne Arundel volunteers: 

▪ Greater Baltimore Community & Patient Services Committee All-Star Award: Mary Kaiser, LCSW
Kaiser is a Clinical Social Worker with Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Unit.

Dedicated to the awareness of kidney disease, Kaiser has volunteered for every NKF-MD KEY: Kidneys, Evaluate Yours (KEY) screening and Kidney Health Risk Assessment for the entire year.

Additionally, the Annapolis resident has recruited many new volunteers to events and helped find resources for the many people who call NKF-MD in search of assistance with the financial burden of kidney disease.

In the award presentation, NKF-MD called Kaiser, “an outstanding volunteer who truly personifies our mission efforts.” 

▪ Committee All-Star Award for Video Production: Dominic DeLauney
DeLauney, the multimedia production coordinator for Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, taped, produced and edited the video about NKF-MD’s 2013 Kidney Champions.

In doing so, the Glen Burnie resident spent over 75 hours of his own time to work on this video, taking time to record testimonials and acceptance speeches of the honorees.

As noted in the award presentation, “Dominic is a dedicated individual who is already on board to create our 2014 video and we look forward to his new ideas.” 

▪ Corporate Partner of the Year Award: FutureCare
This Pasadena company secured over $11,000 in sponsorship in the Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk, raising over $1,300 through their corporate Kidney Walk team! Led by Gary Attman and Holly O’Shea, this team brought a contagious energy to the Walk. From internal fundraisers and newsletters to Walk giveaways and rallying a team of 45 participants, FutureCare made an impact on the Kidney Walk.

As noted in the award presentation, “The Foundation could not be more thankful for their drive and support of the kidney community. They are a company that not only talks the talk, but literally walks the walk when supporting the community.” 

▪ Community Health Partner of the Year Award: Mid-Atlantic Nephrology Associates
This Linthicum company has been a long time supporter of NKF-MD’s gala and KEY: Kidneys, Evaluate Yours (KEY) screenings. It also won a volunteer award last year.

As noted in the award presentation, “MANA never fails to jump at the opportunity to help us with the new Kidney Cap Initiative at the Kidney Walk. You may have seen their logo on the orange and green caps at the Kidney Walks, or even around town after the Walks. These caps are very special as only kidney patients get the orange caps and only transplant donors or recipients receive the green caps.” 

What’s more, MANA was a gold sponsor at the Foundation’s Santé: A Culinary Odyssey signature event and Renal Rounds events, as well as a generous sponsor of the Volunteer Awards Reception.

In addition to honoring the volunteers, the reception celebrated NFK-MD’s many accomplishments throughout the year, such as:

--KEY: Kidneys, Evaluate Yours (KEY) free community health screenings reached more than 925 people, identifying at least 24 percent of these individuals with a possible risk factor for kidney disease.

--The Kidney Health Risk Assessment (KHRA) reached more than 500 people with information and awareness about kidney disease. 

--More than 1,000 people have been reached through NKF-MD’s participation in community and corporate health fairs.

--NKF-MD is on target to raise more than $1 million through special events such as such as the Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk, which broke records for drawing more than 5,000 walkers and raising $345,000. Overall, the Baltimore Kidney Walk has grown to #2 for NKF spring events held nationally.

--The Foundation continued to fund $200,000 to valuable life-saving research in Maryland, which is more funding towards research than any other NKF division or affiliate in the country! 

--NKF-MD’s patient emergency assistance program funded approximately $200,000 to meet the emergency needs of dialysis patients and transplant recipients, whose lives have been dramatically altered by kidney disease. 

--The Foundation spent $12,000 on medical alert jewelry for patients.

About NKF-MD
Now celebrating its 50th year as an affiliate, the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland serving central and western Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of West Virginia, is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of kidney and urinary tract diseases. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org.