Alabama Kidney Foundation

With sad hearts we announce that our beloved Ann passed away this week. Ann gave 22 years of her life to AKF, many of you most likely were greeted by her cheerful voice over the phone to help with patient assistance. We will miss Ann but know that she had a life well lived of 90 years! A celebration of her life will be held this afternoon in Homewood.

We would like to introduce our 2022 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Honorary Patient Chair, Charlie Belle Jacks.
At just the young age of three years old, Miss Charlie Belle has endured & overcame so much in her three years.
A reminder that kidney disease & kidney failure knows no age, gender or race. It can affect anyone.
Charlie Belle is a fighter & a true princess warrior & a true inspiration! Thank you to her parents, Ryan & Megg Jacks for sharing her story & their journey as her parents with us to help spread awareness while also supporting the AKF mission. The AKF appreciates you & your support so much!

Alabama Kidney Foundation Walk

Thank you to all of you that came out for the 2022 Mobile Kidney Walk & Celebration. We had a beautiful day supporting kidney patients and their families in Mobile & South Alabama! Please enjoy photos from the day: https://www.stacybizjak.com/akfwalk2022

Alabama Kidney Foundation Walk Stacy Bizjak Photography

Doctor shares warning signs for kidney disease

With March being National Kidney Month it’s all about raising awareness for better kidney health. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes and high blood pressure. Dr. Christopher Enoch takes a deeper dive into the symptoms and signs of early chronic kidney disease.

https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/doctor-shares-warning-signs-for-kidney-disease/

Doctor shares warning signs for kidney disease t’s estimated that 37 million people in America battle chronic kidney disease. As many as nine out of 10 people don’t even know they have it.

The AKF’s Middle Alabama Region is honored to have both Mr. & Mrs. David & Susan Ingram as our 2022 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Honorary Co-Chairs!
We are grateful for their leadership & support in helping to lead our fundraising efforts to help our neighbors in need who are fighting kidney disease.
Mr. David Ingram is the Vice President of Jack Ingram Motors in Montgomery.
Mrs. Susan Ingram has worked as a Registered Nurse for over 30 years in the OR Departments within the Baptist Health System throughout the River Region area.
We sincerely thank them for all their support!

March is National Kidney Month!
This means March is a PERFECT time to get involved with the Alabama Kidney Foundation.
We need your help! Visit our website to find out more information on how to get involved in your area.
https://www.alkidney.org/akf-in-your-area/

Help us make a difference in the lives of kidney disease patients in need!

We’re only days away from the 2022 Birmingham Walk & Celebration Kick-Off at Cahaba Brewing Company! If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, DON’T WAIT! Contact Brad Cary at [email protected] to reserve your spot today. Great food, prizes and information on the 2022 Birmimgham Walk Season. Stick around for the conclusion of the event for “Bingo Night” in the main room where you can win even more great prizes. See you on Wednesday!

Alabama Kidney Foundation PSA with Daron Payne & Kemberly Smith

In honor of , enjoy of video of Daron Payne and his mother, Kemberly Smith sharing their Kidney Journey. https://youtu.be/Mrnhg5mGRnY

Alabama Kidney Foundation PSA with Daron Payne & Kemberly Smith Short PSA - 3

Today is , your kidneys are vital! Take time to learn more about their function! Visit www.worldkidneyday.org for more information.

If you are interested in more information about the Huntsville Walk or on starting a Team, contact Jacqueline Jimenez, the new North Alabama Community Coordinator! Jacqueline is a Huntsville native and will oversee the Huntsville Kidney Walk & Celebration along with local programs and services for kidney patients. She can be reached at [email protected] or 256-957-2220.

The Central Alabama Regional Office teamed up with brothers from Sigma Nu and other students from Samford University to take part in “Good Deed Day”. Dozens of participants ventured into the City of Birmingham to collect trash, provide school supplies to local organizations, baked goods and volunteering at local soup kitchens. A special thanks to Matthew Guerra, Lucas Martin and Alex Applefield on their continued support of the Alabama Kidney Foundation and the service provided across the State!

If you missed our AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff – No Problem!
It’s definitely not too late to get involved for our Montgomery Walk & Celebration on Saturday, May 7th.
We still need fundraising walk teams, corporate sponsors, individual donors, volunteers, etc!
If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out!
Email [email protected] for more information!
You can also make a donation on our walk website: www.MontgomeryKidneyWalk.org
Thank you for your support!

Alabama Kidney Foundation - Daron Payne & Kemberly Smith

Daron Payne, former Alabama Football Player and current
football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders,
and his mom, Kemberly Smith, partnered with AKF in
developing PSA videos for kidney disease awareness.
Kemberly was on dialysis for several years prior to receiving
a kidney transplant. She shared her experience as a dialysis
patient while raising Daron and his brothers and her journey in
receiving a transplant. We are so appreciative for Daron and
Kemberly in helping AKF educate the public about kidney disease and the importance of organ donation.
https://youtu.be/3touGhMYmBA

Alabama Kidney Foundation - Daron Payne & Kemberly Smith Former Alabama football player and current NFL player for Washington, Daron Payne, and his mom, Kemberly Smith, share Kemberly's story with kidney disease an...

In honor Hilda B. Anderson on the anniversary of her passing.

Happy National Social Work month! Thank you to all our social workers in the state -- we're Celebrating You in 2022!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our 2022 AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Luncheon last Thursday.
Despite the inclement weather, we had a great attendance! We hope that everyone is energized & ready to reach our 2022 Walk Goal!
If you were not able to attend, it’s not too late to get involved. Email: [email protected]

Here’s a few highlights of the day:
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed presenting our City Proclamation to bring local awareness to kidney disease, hearing from our Walk Chairs, Honorary Walk Chair – David Ingram, VP of Jack Ingram Motors, Honorary Patient Walk Chair’s Charlie Belle Jacks’ Father – Ryan Jacks, A $10,000 Donation Check Presentation on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. David & Susan Ingram, Inspirational Words by AKF’s Executive Director – David Reeves, Director of Corporate Sponsorships – Becki Connally, State Board Treasurer – Rodney Zeigler, Regional Director – Shannon Morrell, Walk Team Captain & James Belton, MC & Host of Mix 103.3 – Melissa Bowman, Our Media Partner, AL News Network was also there to broadcast live from the luncheon for both their 11a & 12p Newscasts.
Thank you to all that helped make this year’s kickoff a success!

Please enjoy the slideshow below & feel free to view & download any photos from the event using the Google Drive link below.
Photo Credit: John Freeland Photography

AKF Montgomery Kickoff Luncheon Slideshow
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vy54oWSw1jGFm7O9denb6Ol6l53NrUD2/view?usp=sharing

AKF Montgomery Kickoff Google Drive Photo Link
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FswRgdkPca9td7aiE14J5oYK-0bgWW9N

Cumberland woman searches for kidney donor for mother

A Rhode Island woman is trying to find a kidney for her own mother.
https://turnto10.com/news/local/cumberland-woman-searches-for-kidney-donor-for-mother

Cumberland woman searches for kidney donor for mother A Cumberland woman is trying to find a kidney match for her own mother in a race against time. Victoria Santos' mom, Grace, needs a living kidney donor to replace the kidney she had transplanted 15 years ago. Grace has been feeling tired and weak. If she doesn't find a kidney, the only alternative i...

Today is the day!
If you’re located in the River Region area & would like to learn more about getting involved with the AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration, please join us TODAY for our 2022 Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon. We hope to see you there!

A special thanks to Kendall, LaLa and the management from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, for donating several prizes for our 2022 Birmingham Kidney Walk and Celebration! More details to come!

Don’t forget to make plans to attend the AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon!
Next Thursday, February 17th from 11:30a – 1p. Please RSVP [email protected]

Thank you to all who supported the AKF during “A Night with the Squadron” at Legacy Arena. A special thanks to account executive, Josh Hickson, from the Squadron for his hospitality and professionalism throughout the evening!

AKF Kidney Walk and Celebration

Thank you to WSFA News 12 for the opportunity to promote our AKF Montgomery Kidney Walk & Celebration Kickoff Luncheon. If you're interested in attending or getting involved with AKF please email [email protected]

https://www.wsfa.com/video/2022/01/26/akf-kidney-walk-celebration/

AKF Kidney Walk and Celebration

Huntsville Friends Save the Date!

Today is National Dark Chocolate Day, but what's your favorite kind?
There are so many different kinds of chocolate, each one with different nutrients, but they can all be part of a kidney-friendly diet!
White chocolate contains the lowest amount of potassium, phosphorous and oxalate, making it easier to include in a kidney-friendly diet. On the other hand, dark chocolate contains the biggest amount of protein and fiber, but can be high in oxalate and potassium. Just be sure to check the numbers when you enjoy a treat!

Man ‘willing to die’ rather than get COVID vaccine for transplant

https://www.nbc15.com/2022/01/30/man-willing-die-rather-than-get-covid-vaccine-transplant/

Man ‘willing to die’ rather than get COVID vaccine for transplant He says no one should be forced to get the vaccine – even if it means he can’t get his much-needed kidney transplant.