The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland held its Second Annual Kidney Walk in Salisbury, Maryland, USA on 5 May 2008. Lambda Eta Chapter members of Salisbury University decided that this experience would be a great medium for chapter camaraderie while helping to prevent kidney disease and to increase the availability of organs for transplant.
In 2007, chapter president Cathy Stitcher and treasurer Lois Morgan attended the Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention. “We kept hearing the message that we need to keep the new inductees involved and that the young generation was interested in service work. In November, I accepted a position with the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland. Cathy and I thought the walk would be a great activity for our chapter, and the members agreed,” said Morgan.
The non-competitive three-mile walk through the Salisbury Zoo emphasized awareness of kidney disease, a malady from 
which 26 million Americans suffer. “We chose this as an activity to keep our new members engaged. We held a pizza party before the walk to encourage participation,” said Morgan. Five chapter members registered for the walk while others volunteered at the face painting table; members who could not participate made donations. Without a registration fee, the US$969 that the chapter raised will go directly toward patient services, education, and research for kidney disease. Lambda Eta Chapter anticipates continued participation and success with the Kidney Walk in future years.
Kerry Tucker and Deanna Schloemer volun-
teering at the face-painting table in Salisbury,
Maryland.
NKF Sources:
http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=267003
www.kidney.org