NKF-MD Honors Parkville 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 two to Parkville residents:

▪ Volunteer of the Year Award: Ben Simpkins CEC CCA WCC

The executive chef of Richardson Farms in White Marsh, Simpkins was put on dialysis at age 16 until receiving one of his mother’s kidneys in a transplant the following year.

That special connection to NKF-MD motivates him to give back to the Foundation. As noted in the award presentation:

“Ben Simpkins has been instrumental in the overall success of our Santé: A Culinary Odyssey signature event.  He has recruited fellow chefs, friends and students to contribute their time and energy to grow the event.  Ben has brought great ideas and effectively implemented them to create what we know now as one of the best culinary events in the metro area.  If you were at the event and you tasted the delicious pumpkin cheesecake, it was one of Ben’s great creations.  In fact it was the world largest pumpkin cheesecake ever made!  We can’t wait to see what he comes up with this year!

In addition to all his help with Santé, he has helped promote Kidney Walk, Rappel for Kidney Health and the Foundation as a whole.  He has been a spokesperson in the media and an ambassador in the community.  He has donated center pieces for this award program last year in the blink of eye.” 

▪ Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk Youth Volunteer All-Star Award:  Jerome Lechasseur

As a leading member of the Hamilton Young Marines, Lechasseur sat as the youngest member of the Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk Planning Committee. He routinely attended meetings and assisted with the planning of the Walk.

At the Walk, he led his team of young Marines in the set- up and execution of logistics. From unloading of tables and chairs, hanging signs and assisting participants and sponsors, the young marines did it all!

According to NKF-MD, “Jerome is an exceptional high school student and young adult. His leadership was phenomenal and his communication skills outstanding.”

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.