NKF Serving Maryland & Delaware

Who We Are & Our Mission

We are the National Kidney Foundation offices proudly Serving Maryland & Delaware.

 

We are revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation.

Three people smiling at the camera

Give hope, fight kidney disease with your gift today.

Your heartfelt gift helps us provide FREE resources, support, and hope for thousands of patients, loved ones and healthcare heroes.

  • Provide families with a place to turn for guidance and answers.
  • Support breakthrough research and clinical trials.
  • Help more loved ones learn about their risk and get diagnosed sooner.
  • Expand access to lifesaving transplants for all.

12 Days of Giving

Charlotte Rice, Transplant Recipient
Meghan Rice - Mother

"Being a kid who is living with a terminal disease is not an easy feat. We are amazed and proud of all that Charlotte has accomplished and persevered through in her short seven years of life. We look forward to continuing to watch Charlotte blossom into a unique and independent young lady in the coming years!" 
Read Charlotte's story

Clark Patterson, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Recipient

“None of this would have been possible without God, the wonderful staff at Rehoboth Beach Fresenius Kidney Care, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Gift of Life Howie’s House, and the lifesaving work of the National Kidney Foundation."
Read Clark's story

Vaunita Goodman, Kidney Advocate

“I have benefited greatly from NKFMDDE’s programs. Participating in three kidney walks, two medical lectures, and Santé has given me greater insight into the work NKF accomplishes locally. You are still a force of Nature. Do your very best to co-create the outcome that you envision."
Read Vaunita's story

Lucy Thoupos, Kidney Transplant Recipient
Chelsea Thoupos - Mother

"Post transplant, Lucy blew through milestones: Standing, crawling, walking, etc. She is still G-tube fed but we hope to eliminate that at some point. She takes medication twice a day and has routine bloodwork. Other than that, she is a normal preschooler!"
Read Lucy's story

DJ Young Fresh Prince, Prune Belly Syndrome and Kidney Recipient

“My goal in life is to continue learning more about my condition and spreading awareness about Prune Belly Syndrome.”
Read Prince's story

Robert Moore, Looking for a kidney donor

“As I try to process and accept everything that is happening, I still try and smile and be the best dad and husband ever. I cannot say this has been an easy journey, but I am staying hopeful that my time will come and I will get the call saying they have a kidney for me. Until then, I will continue to enjoy each day to the best of my ability.”
Read Robert's story

George Franklin III, Kidney Recipient & Kidney Advocate

“I’m a kidney transplant recipient, transplanted on November 4, 1975. I am, nationally, the longest-surviving African American with a transplant from a deceased donor. I am the longest African American with a transplant in the State of Maryland.”
Read George's story

Rich Tomaski, Dual Transplant Recipient

“I stayed as active as possible and watched my kidney-friendly diet closely for the years leading up to my surgery, which the Johns Hopkins team has told me has improved my chances of a successful transplant.”
Read Rich's story

Tisha Guthrie, Kidney Patient & NKFMDDE Board Member

“As I became acquainted with the wonderful individuals, both patients, and staff, at my dialysis clinic, I learned just how many people, ethnicities, and age groups are touched by renal disease.”
Read Tisha's story

Melissa Kuhns, Kidney Cancer Survivor

"I wasn’t expecting at my appointment to be told there was a small questionable mass on my left kidney."
Read Melissa's story

Roseanne Bell, Kidney Transplant Recipient

"We are proud to be Kidney Ambassadors for living donor transplants and will continue to document this journey along the way."
Read Rosie's story

Matt Hall, Kidney Transplant Recipient

"The National Kidney Foundation served as a priceless resource and source of support during our living donor search so we love any opportunity to return the favor! It is critical that we increase community awareness surrounding living kidney donation and support our fellow kidney families along their journey."
Read Matt's story
33 percent quiz graphic

Are YOU in the 33%?

1 in 3 adults in the United States are at risk of life-threatening kidney disease. That is over 37 MILLION individuals! Unbelievably, most of these people don't even know they have kidney disease. We want to change that.

 

If you or a family member have one or more risk factors, go to MinuteForYourKidneys.org today and find out what to do next and how to talk to your doctor.

 

Some possible risk factors you and your loved ones should be aware of:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Overweight or Obese
  • Family history of kidney disease.

 

Take the First Step:

The first step to preventing kidney disease is knowing your risk. With one minute to spare, go to minuteforyourkidneys.org and understand your risk for developing kidney disease. When was the last time a minute held so much value?

Patient Education

Living Well with Kidney Disease

Check out our four-part Patient Series sponsored by Horizon Therapeutics and the University of Maryland Medical Center to learn more about living well with kidney disease.

Sponsored by:

Beyond Dialysis

Free educational webinar for CKD patients and their caregivers. Sessions include Dialysis options, and kidney transplant, including a panel discussion with healthcare professionals, kidney patients, donors, and recipients.

Sponsored by:

Three Kidney Walk participants cheering at a Walk event, surrounded by colorful graphics including a heart with a kidney bean

Kidney Walks

Thank you for supporting our Kidney Walk events! Your support helped us fight the fight, but we still need you. There is still time to donate through December. Visit the links below for more information and/or to donate. 

 

Watch for more information about our next Kidney Walk events in our area:

Maryland Walk - Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Northern Delaware - October 2024 at Glasgow Park, New Castle, Delaware

Southern Delaware Kidney Walk - Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware
Salisbury Kidney Walk- Check back for more information!

Researchers in the lab

Research Grants for Professionals

Grant Cycle OPENS on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 5:00pm

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland & Delaware (NKFMDDE) local Research Grant application portal is CLOSED. Applications were due on Monday, December 4, 2023. Check back for updates on the projects awarded soon!

 

Over the years, the National Kidney Foundation has invested over $100 million to support the treatment of kidney disease. Locally, the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland & Delaware (NKFMDDE) has been able to distribute over $3,500,000 over the last few decades for pilot projects and for those early in their academic careers. Funding supports pilot projects focused on different areas of kidney disease (i.e., blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, urological disease, dialysis, and transplantation) that will ultimately impact improvement in the care of kidney disease patients through discovering novel mechanisms or management strategies.

 

Local Types of Grants

  1. Professional Development Awards- a maximum award not to exceed $40,000
  2. Mini-Grants – awards up to $10,000 each

 

Questions: Contact Pattie Dash at pattie.dash@kidney.org 

Bonne Santé Georgia

2023 Santé: Giving Back for Kidney Disease

Thank you to everyone who joined us on May 10th at the Baltimore Museum of Industry for the 2023 Santé: Giving Back for Kidney Disease!

 

Guests voted for their favorite vendor in the People’s Choice competition and secret judges selected the Best Dish, Best Beverage, Best Dessert, and Best Display.

 

Huge thanks to all our sponsors, vendors, and media partners who made the event a HUGE SUCCESS!

 

SAVE THE DATE for the 2024 event: Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Baltimore Museum of Industry! Watch for more details!

 

 

Close-up of a car driving onto a tow truck

Kidney Cars

Do you have a car sitting in your driveway looking for a new home? Look no further, we have the solution for you!
 
The Kidney Cars program is an easy way to donate your car, van, truck, or boat. By donating your vehicle, you are helping to fund public education, patient and community services, research, professional education and organ donation programs of the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware.
  • Start in 1 Minute - Call 800.488.CARS (800.488.227) or select your location to start our online form.
  • Fast, Free Pickup - 24-hour pickup. All on your schedule.
  • Save on Taxes - We handle your car. You get a tax receipt.
Woman and mother smiling and hugging

Your Kidneys & You

Looking for someone to speak to your group about kidney disease? This education program is designed to raise awareness among the general public about kidneys, risk factors for kidney disease, and how to protect your kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware is available to present this program in a variety of community and business settings. If you are interested in having us present to your group, please contact us. We are also looking for volunteer presenters! If you are interested in being trained to help us get the word out about kidney disease, contact Pattie Dash at 410.494.8545 or email pattie.dash@kidney.org.

Ways to Support

Donate

To send a paper check to the Maryland & Delaware office, please use the following address:

  • 11307 York Road #232, Cockeysville, MD 21030

For general online or memorial donations to the NKF Serving Maryland & Delaware, please visit the link below.

Advocate

Are you interesting in becoming an advocate? NKF is the largest, most comprehensive longstanding patient organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. Sharing your personal stories with our elected officials can make a significant difference.

Volunteer

Volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland gives you a chance to be part of the mission to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases. Millions of Americans have some form of kidney or urologic disease. Thousands die each year while waiting for kidney transplants. Hundreds of thousands need life-sustaining dialysis treatments to stay alive.

Community Partners

Interested in having the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware participate at your event?

 

Requests should be submitted a minimum of two months (60 days) prior to your scheduled event.

Hand offering heart icon

What’s your story?

We want to hear about your unique experience with a kidney transplant, living donation, or kidney disease. Your story may be the one that gives someone hope.

Local Office

11307 York Road #232
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Phone: 410.494.8545
Toll Free: 800.671.5369
Fax: 410.494.8549

Upcoming Events

May