(May 4, 2017) Two Worcester County residents, Kayla Warner and Robert DeHart, both received kidney transplants and are taking part in the Salisbury Kidney Walk at Winterplace Park on Sunday.
Warner’s brother, Christopher, 14, has kidney disease and will also be on hand during the event, which is hosted by the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.
“Kidney disease currently affects 9,300 Marylanders, and with the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure, the numbers continue to climb,” Stephanie Elliott, event chair of the Salisbury Walk, said.
More than 500 kidney patients, friends and family members are expected to walk the 3-mile route or shorter path for strollers and wheelchairs at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and there is no registration fee.
“This signature event helps the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland build awareness, drive prevention and support treatment of kidney disease – the ninth leading cause of death in the United States,” Elliot said.
Those who raise a minimum of $100 will take home a Kidney Walk T-shirt and participants can enjoy refreshments from Panera Bread, Giant and Starbucks.
This is the second year the Warner family will be attending the Kidney Walk in Salisbury.
Kayla Warner, of Berlin, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 15 months old before doctors discovered she had end-stage kidney disease years later.
In the meantime, Kayla and Christopher were diagnosed with Alport Syndrome, which is a genetic condition characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss and vision trouble.
After 15 months of dialysis, Kayla Warner, 18, received a kidney transplant.
“She has had her new kidney for two years and it’s working like it was made for her,” Rebecca Warner, Kayla and Christopher’s mom, said. “It is important to have your children monitored. Kidney disease is silent until it’s not.”
Robert DeHart, of Pocomoke, was a diabetic for 20 years before receiving a kidney transplant in 1999 from his sister and a pancreas from an 18-year-old boy who died in Florida.
“My sister, God bless her, I owe her my life,” DeHart said. “I told her ‘You sacrificed to give me this kidney and I will fight every day to live.’”
DeHart, 57, will participate in the Salisbury Kidney Walk for the fourth time with his girlfriend, Chris Wells, and at least a dozen patients, doctors and employees of Peninsula Nephrology Associates, which has taken good care of him, he said.
“We all have different stories and talk about our experience,” DeHart said. “We also share information with each other and I get new information every year. It helps us cope with our problems and lifestyle. We talk about what we’ve been through. People are so nice and we have a great time.”
In 2008, DeHart was no longer a diabetic, but he lost his eyesight for four and a half years.
His wife left him and he learned how to read brail before receiving eye surgery, which brought back some of his vision. DeHart can now drive and is going back to work.
“I just had my 18th anniversary without a rejection,” DeHart said. “[The kidney transplant and blindness] made me a stronger and better person. It was tough at times, but the main thing was to stay positive.”
DeHart stresses going to the doctor because early detection is key to living a long life with kidney disease. He also encourages people to consider donating their organs.
“I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars,” DeHart said. “I am fortunate to still be here.”
Healthy kidneys are essential to keeping us alive because they work as chemical factories to remove waste and regulate blood pressure. Kidneys are just as vital to sustaining life as the heart.
On an average day, 22 people will die while waiting for a life-saving organ and nearly 3,000 Marylanders need a kidney transplant.
“My sister was back to work in three weeks and was up walking around the second day after surgery,” DeHart said.
More than 100,000 Americans await kidney transplants, but fewer than 17,000 people receive one each year.
One in three American adults are at risk of developing kidney disease during their lifetime and 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t even know it.
Kidney disease can affect anyone – young or old – yet the risk for disease can be reduced with regular checkups, a healthy diet and exercise.
“All money raised for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland stays on the Eastern Shore for research and helps families who cannot afford a kidney transplant or other medical costs,” DeHart said.
For more information on the walk or kidney disease, check out www.kidneywalk.org or call 410-726-8732.
Warner’s brother, Christopher, 14, has kidney disease and will also be on hand during the event, which is hosted by the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.
“Kidney disease currently affects 9,300 Marylanders, and with the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure, the numbers continue to climb,” Stephanie Elliott, event chair of the Salisbury Walk, said.
More than 500 kidney patients, friends and family members are expected to walk the 3-mile route or shorter path for strollers and wheelchairs at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and there is no registration fee.
“This signature event helps the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland build awareness, drive prevention and support treatment of kidney disease – the ninth leading cause of death in the United States,” Elliot said.
Those who raise a minimum of $100 will take home a Kidney Walk T-shirt and participants can enjoy refreshments from Panera Bread, Giant and Starbucks.
This is the second year the Warner family will be attending the Kidney Walk in Salisbury.
Kayla Warner, of Berlin, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 15 months old before doctors discovered she had end-stage kidney disease years later.
In the meantime, Kayla and Christopher were diagnosed with Alport Syndrome, which is a genetic condition characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss and vision trouble.
After 15 months of dialysis, Kayla Warner, 18, received a kidney transplant.
“She has had her new kidney for two years and it’s working like it was made for her,” Rebecca Warner, Kayla and Christopher’s mom, said. “It is important to have your children monitored. Kidney disease is silent until it’s not.”
Robert DeHart, of Pocomoke, was a diabetic for 20 years before receiving a kidney transplant in 1999 from his sister and a pancreas from an 18-year-old boy who died in Florida.
“My sister, God bless her, I owe her my life,” DeHart said. “I told her ‘You sacrificed to give me this kidney and I will fight every day to live.’”
DeHart, 57, will participate in the Salisbury Kidney Walk for the fourth time with his girlfriend, Chris Wells, and at least a dozen patients, doctors and employees of Peninsula Nephrology Associates, which has taken good care of him, he said.
“We all have different stories and talk about our experience,” DeHart said. “We also share information with each other and I get new information every year. It helps us cope with our problems and lifestyle. We talk about what we’ve been through. People are so nice and we have a great time.”
In 2008, DeHart was no longer a diabetic, but he lost his eyesight for four and a half years.
His wife left him and he learned how to read brail before receiving eye surgery, which brought back some of his vision. DeHart can now drive and is going back to work.
“I just had my 18th anniversary without a rejection,” DeHart said. “[The kidney transplant and blindness] made me a stronger and better person. It was tough at times, but the main thing was to stay positive.”
DeHart stresses going to the doctor because early detection is key to living a long life with kidney disease. He also encourages people to consider donating their organs.
“I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars,” DeHart said. “I am fortunate to still be here.”
Healthy kidneys are essential to keeping us alive because they work as chemical factories to remove waste and regulate blood pressure. Kidneys are just as vital to sustaining life as the heart.
On an average day, 22 people will die while waiting for a life-saving organ and nearly 3,000 Marylanders need a kidney transplant.
“My sister was back to work in three weeks and was up walking around the second day after surgery,” DeHart said.
More than 100,000 Americans await kidney transplants, but fewer than 17,000 people receive one each year.
One in three American adults are at risk of developing kidney disease during their lifetime and 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t even know it.
Kidney disease can affect anyone – young or old – yet the risk for disease can be reduced with regular checkups, a healthy diet and exercise.
“All money raised for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland stays on the Eastern Shore for research and helps families who cannot afford a kidney transplant or other medical costs,” DeHart said.
For more information on the walk or kidney disease, check out www.kidneywalk.org or call 410-726-8732.