National Kidney Foundation Celebrates 60 Years

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Boulder resident Signe Wheeler is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). 65 year-old Wheeler, a kidney transplant recipient, competes regularly in the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games and helped lead her team, Team Rocky Mountain, to win the 2010 Transplant Games.

Here is Signe in her own words:
I first met my friend, Pam Doverspike, out at our horse barn. I had no idea how our lives would intertwine in the most profound way possible. My dream was to ride my horse over the 500-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. During this time, I learned I had polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and that my kidneys were failing. Pam, upon hearing this, immediately said that she was there for me if I ever was in need. By the end of the ride, my kidney function had dropped to end stage. I was destined for either dialysis or a transplant. Upon my approval as a transplant candidate, she immediately applied to see if she was a match. Pam was a match and within three months, we had a very successful transplant. We both attended the U.S. National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games in Pittsburgh in 2007. Pam was presented with the humanitarian award through her employer, FedEx. She enjoyed the special recognition ceremony given to living donors at the Transplant Games. We continue in any way we can to promote organ donation and awareness in our communities, participating in kidney walks, health fair educational programs, and Transplant Games promotion. There is never any way to thank your donor or donor family enough. Only through the joy of living every precious day can mirror the thankfulness that I wake up with every day of my life.

“We appreciate the generous public support of the National Kidney Foundation over the years,” remarked Kathy Wegner, vice president of the division. “In 1950, when the NKF was founded, there were no dialysis treatments or transplants, which meant people with kidney failure had no form of treatment and did not survive. Today, individuals and families with kidney disease can often enjoy rich and productive lives.”

Through its offices nationwide, the NKF provides early detection screenings, valuable public and professional education, research for new treatments and therapies, and vital services to people with kidney disease, dialysis patients, transplant recipients and organ donors.

The need for our services remains critical. Twenty-six million Americans, one in nine adults, have chronic kidney disease and another 20 million are at risk.
“As we commemorate our 60th anniversary, we ask you to join us in recommitting ourselves to the fight against kidney disease,” finished Wegner.

To learn more and to donate to the 60th Anniversary Fund Campaign, visit www.kidney.org/60.

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneycmw.org.

National Kidney Foundation Hosts Second Annual Billings Kidney Walk

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The National Kidney Foundation Serving Colorado, Montana and Wyoming will host the Second Annual Billings Kidney Walk on Saturday, September 18 at Pioneer Park (Virginia Lane and Avenue D, Billings).

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Walkers can register beforehand by visiting www.kidneywalk.org or calling Mary Hoadley at 800-263-4005 ext. 110. There is no registration fee, but all walkers are encouraged to fundraise. Individuals who raise $100 or more receive an official Kidney Walk t-shirt. Additional prizes are based on the amount of money raised by each participant.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the one to two-mile, non-competitive walk will raise funds and awareness of early prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases and the need for organ donation.

“This is the second year for the Billings Kidney Walk,” said Kathy Wegner, Regional Vice President of the foundation. “Last year, we raised $25,000 to assist local patient, education, and prevention programs, with more than 83 cents of every dollar raised going back to local Montana services.”

The event will raise funds to support the various patient and community assistance programs, as well as kidney health screenings in Montana.

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneycmw.org.

National Kidney Foundation Cadillac Golf Classic Raises $70,000

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The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming today announced the winners and proceeds of its NKF Cadillac Golf Classic. The event, held at Blackstone Country Club on June 21, raised more than $70,000.

The NKF Cadillac Golf Classic is the nation's premier amateur golf event for charity, as the first place team at each of the 30 events coast to coast are invited to play for the National Championship at fabled Pebble Beach in January 2011.
Members of the first place team, Genentech, were Steve Eller, Jack Evans, Chris Heath, and John Zimmerman. Ford Kimball, John Kopperud, Matt Neils, and Jeff Perreault were members of the second-place Fascination Street Gallery team. Major sponsors of the event included Don Massey Cadillac, Genentech, PING, and Schlegel Williams Construction.

“The National Kidney Foundation Cadillac Golf Classic Tournament is a competitive and fun event which calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation,” said Regional Vice President Kathy Wegner. “Kidney disease affects one in nine American adults and is expected to double in the next decade. Across Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, there are over 4,000 people receiving life-saving dialysis and another 1,000 waiting for a kidney transplant in order to survive.”

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneycmw.org.

National Kidney Foundation Names Regional Vice President and Chairman

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The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming announced today that Kathy Wegner has been named the Regional Vice President of the organization. Previously, Wegner was the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Public Policy with the Downtown Denver Partnership.

“The NKF serving Colorado, Montana and Wyoming has a tremendous board, strong committees, and a dedicated staff,” remarked Wegner. “I am excited to help make an impact on our community and spread the word about early detection of kidney disease, which affects one in every nine persons,” remarked Wegner.

Additionally, the organization has named Bryan Williams as the chairman of its board of directors. Williams is the president of Schlegel Williams Construction, located in Aurora.

“I enjoy working with my fellow board members and the foundation staff to provide patient and community services that makes a difference in the lives of those who suffer from kidney disease,” said Williams. “My construction company, Schlegel Williams Construction, has been building kidney dialysis centers for the past 15 years, and I believe that we are helping save lives with every new dialysis center we complete.”

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneycmw.org.