Join the Carolinas Kidney Walk to Help Cure Kidney Disease

I have a co-worker who thinks she invented walking--at least when it comes to health and exercise. She's a nice, decent person, but the more she chides me to walk at work, the more I dig my feet in and refuse to participate.

Maybe my stubbornness with my co-worker stems from the fact that I was walking at the workplace, long before she showed up. In the heat of the sun or the chill of the day, I walked around and through the neighboring parking lots of my building. But I decided to take a break from walking one day, and all of a sudden months passed in which I didn't
walk at all.

This is a far cry from childhood when I walked and ran around everywhere, going barefooted in the summertime, so much so, that walking across gravel or pavement didn't hurt my feet at all. I may have even walked uptown (or is it downtown?) York without shoes on. Apparently, the stores didn't require footwear to enter, or at least I was never barred from going inside.

Walking for the National Kidney Foundation

But since I can't or won't walk like a child again, I will walk for one. Specifically, Jake Matthew Meredith Carpenter, grandson of Peggy Hargett, a childhood friend. Jake is the son of Peggy's daughter Alissa Meredith, and her long-time partner, Loretta Carpenter.

Jake was born prematurely in February of 2009 and has chronic kidney failure, meaning he will need a kidney transplant once he's gained enough weight. Of course, Jake doesn't know what's at stake here; he's busy playing and capturing the hearts of his family and friends, just like any baby does.

Carolinas Connection

The 2010 Carolinas Kidney Walk is June 5 at Knight's Stadium in Fort Mill. His team is Jake's Break. The walk starts at 8:30 am, with check-in beginning at 7:30 am. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, including 1.5 million Carolinians, and 20 million Americans are at risk for kidney disease.

That's a lot of millions, but when someone you love or care about is suffering, even one is one too many.

Walk for the Heart

So the least I can do is get out of my chair and walk. Not only does it help those with kidney disease, but walking will help the walker (in spite of myself). Indeed, the American Heart Association website states that just one hour of brisk walking can add two hours to one's lifespan. Sounds like a win-win situation.

www.kidney.org

www.americanheartassocation.com