BALTIMORE — The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) held the fourth annual Rappel for Kidney Health signature event on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Harbor East.
Courtesy photo
As the exclusive rappel event occurring annually in the Baltimore metropolitan area, Rappel for Kidney Health invited people of all ages to scale the 33-story hotel, from the roof to the fifth floor pool deck.
Adventure seekers, “edgers” with connections to kidney disease, and even transplant donors and recipients participated.
After pledging $1,000 for this unique opportunity, each participant was provided a fundraising web page, underwent a training session on event day and was photographed while in action.
Rappeller and local boxer Franchon Crews raised money for the NKF-MD because her mother suffers from kidney disease. She said the steady rain didn’t deter her from scaling 28 stories. “ If I had to do it again I would and plan to next year with Mama Crews in tow,” she said. “We look forward to helping knockout kidney disease.”
“I am proud to support NKF-MD, which is committed to helping the more than 13,000 Marylanders with end stage renal disease through direct services, research, funding and advocacy,” said 2013 Rappel for Kidney Health Event Chair Brigitte Sullivan, administrative director of The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center, who rappelled for the fourth consecutive year.
Funds raised through Rappel for Kidney Health will directly support NKF-MD’s patient services, education and research efforts. The first three Rappel for Kidney Health events created an unbelievable amount of excitement, drawing 200 participants and raising over $320,000.
Rappel for Kidney Health is organized by Over the Edge (www.overtheedgeusa.com), the only company in North America with the proven experience, safety record and insurance to provide rappelling services to the non-profit sector.
Serving central and western Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of West Virginia, NKF-MD is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of kidney and urinary tract diseases. For more information about kidney disease, to volunteer or to made a donation, visit: www.kidneymd.org or call 410-494-8545.