NKF-MD Honors Mt. Washington 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,” he added.

With WJZ-TV’s Ron Matz as emcee, NKF-MD presented 30 awards, including the following two to Mt. Washington residents. 

▪ Outstanding Ambassador of the Year Award to Rev. Barry Hargrove
Hargrove has a special connection to NKF-MD, as he is a two-time kidney transplant recipient. He has worked with NKF-MD on its faith-based initiatives to reach a larger target audience for kidney health screenings. He also has done numerous radio spots, public service announcements, and reached into his own circle of friends and associates to assist NKF-MD with building relationships in the faith community.

Furthermore, Hargrove was instrumental in spearheading NKF-MD’s first Breakfast for Pastors & Ministry Leaders this year in conjunction with the Baltimore Mayor’s office, and he arranged for the Foundation’s participation in the Baltimore Simultaneous Revival.

Hargrove constantly educates his own congregation about the prevention of kidney disease and is a great advocate for loving your kidneys. What’s more, he even has “gone over the edge” and Rappelled for Kidney Health from the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel to raise awareness of NKF-MD and kidney disease!

▪ Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk Revenue Committee All-Star: Paul Tiburzi
Tiburzi, a managing partner at DLA Piper, was corporate chairman of NKF-MD’s 2014 Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk. He helped to elevate the Walk by bringing in multiple sponsorships, teams, celebrity ambassadors, media coverage and the support of the Baltimore community.

According to NKF-MD,” Paul’s compassion for the Walk stems from his personal mission connection, and it is admirable and inspiring.”

Walking in honor of their colleague Michael Barnes who passed away from kidney disease, Tiburzi and his team at DLA Piper raised over $10,000 in support of the kidney community. Not only did Tiburzi raise funds and awareness through the DLA Piper team, but he also played a key role in securing over $150,000 in corporate sponsorship, which exceeded goal.

In fact, under Tiburzi’s leadership, the Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk broke records for drawing more than 5,000 walkers and raising $345,000. Overall, it has grown to #2 for NKF spring events held nationally.

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.