By Meg Gilmartin, Executive Director; Sean Rugenstein, Team Kidney Staff Partner – NKF Serving Greater New York and Connecticut
Rooted in a shared interest in building better, healthier, communities, National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Greater New York and Connecticut is proud to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of our partnership with the New York Road Runners (NYRR). The relationship originated in a collaboration with the United Arab Emirates Embassy, whom each year has generously selected the NKF as beneficiary of their UAE Healthy Kidney 10K race, produced by NYRR. From there, the NKF-NYRR relationship has evolved into a robust partnership that has provided kidney health education to residents of the Greater New York area.
Team Kidney runners celebrate their finish with Sidney the Kidney
In September 2018, NKF participated in a NYRR panel discussion to provide information on the relationship between healthy lifestyles and kidney health. This education event, hosted in conjunction with the New Balance Bronx 10-Mile race, provided critical information to this community that is disproportionately impacted by chronic conditions and ranked the least healthy county in the state of New York with high prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes. The NKF-NYRR partnership highlights the shared interests in delivering kidney health education to communities with the greatest health needs in Greater New York.
Also, in preparation for this year’s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, NKF and NYRR will host, The Benefits of Running for Kidney Health, an educational event on April 24. NKF has assembled an inspiring panel consisting of living kidney donors, a recipient of a kidney transplant and a nephrologist. The event will aim to elevate the conversation of transplant and dispel myths around living donation, particularly as it pertains to both a recipient and donor’s ability to live a healthy and active lifestyle. This event is a part of a week-long promotional effort leading into the race which allows the NKF brand and awareness message to reach a large audience. To learn more about the event, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyrr-runtalk-the-benefits-of-running-for-kidney-health-tickets-59199609626
Sharing your connection to kidney health is one of the best ways to raise awareness. Why do you run?
On April 28th, runners of the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K will receive their medal from members of the local kidney community, including dialysis patients, care givers, living donors and recipients. The 10K race finish line’s festival will also include an educational hub hosted by the NKF, in which thousands of attendees will receive information on risk factors associated with kidney disease and learn how they can heart their kidneys.
In addition to helping NKF bring kidney health education to local communities, our NYRR partnership also supports NKF’s goal of improving the lives of those at risk and living with kidney disease. NKF is proud to be a Bronze Charity Partner to the NYRR which has provided coveted entries into premier endurance events, such as the New York City Marathon and United Airlines Half Marathon. Most recently, Team Kidney members in these two races fundraised over $80,000, in addition to the approximately $65,000 raised annually through the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K. The money raised through these races has provided pivotal support to local programs that will improve health outcomes for the 1 in 3 adults at risk for kidney disease.
Corey, a kidney donor, shows off his finisher medal proving that you can live an active lifestyle post-transplant.
We are proud to collaborate with an organization, such as NYRR, that aims to inspire communities, enhancing lives through action, education, and awareness. Our shared organizational values have been key to the success and impact of success and impact of this partnership. We thank the NYRR for their 15-year partnership and look forward to continuing our work together for many years to come. For more information about the 15th Annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10k, please visit https://www.kidney.org/events/team-kidney/15th-annual-uae-healthy-kidney-10k
Advocacy in Action 
Great article!