When I was in middle school, my grandfather, Poppop, started seeing a doctor that my parents kept referring to as a nephrologist, and Poppop was getting dialysis treatments three times a week. At 10 years old, I didn't really understand what was going on. I just knew that I wasn't allowed to give Poppop a glass of water whenever he said he was thirsty.

More than 20 years later, I work for a kidney care company that has given me more context, understanding and empathy for what Poppop went through. 

Kidney disease affects millions of people, and for those who experience kidney failure, it seems to take over so much of their lives. Dialysis three times a week or more. Strict diet and nutrition guidelines. Fluid restrictions. And that's on top of the emotional impact that comes with all these changes. 

I walk for Poppop and for the many families--like mine--who have been affected by this devastating chronic illness.

The National Kidney Foundation supports lifechanging work. Your donation will provide them with the means to: 

• Ensure people have answers to their pressing and emotional questions about kidney disease
• Advocate and fight for policy changes that protect kidney patients and living donors
• Encourage individuals to consider pursuing a kidney transplant as their treatment for kidney failure 
• Educate and support people thinking about becoming a living donor, which can help the some 100,000+ individuals seeking kidney transplantation. 

Please consider supporting me as I walk for NKF.