WHY I WALK I walk because too many people (like myself) are coping with this devastating chronic illness, and thousands more will face an unexpected kidney disease diagnosis in the year to come. Hi! My name is Stephanie and I am a single mother of a wonderful 5 year old son, an 8th grade teacher and realtor, recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, stage 4. Never in a millions years would I have thought to be in this position, however here I am! But I am also here to inspire, encourage, and motivate others that no matter what difficulties, hardships, or obstacles thrown your way, it is your choice of how you face it. No one said this thing called life would be easy and sometimes the journey we've envisioned for ourselves is not how it turns out, but it does not mean we cannot make choices to navigate to the life we want despite what's been thrown our way. I have chosen to be EXTREMELY positive about my obstacle that has come my way, and it has been with the great support of my family and friends that I can continue to be positive as I embark on this journey. I recently had my evaluation with my transplant team and WOW, I am so blessed to be in the hands of some great people to educate, encourage, and support me from the health side. It has added to my positive outlook on this situation. This will be my first walk of many, as this will be an event I will continue to be apart of, not just for my sake but for the many others who are on this journey and to those who will be on this journey. CKD can happen to anyone, and for those people and myself, I will walk and raise money! I walk to support the lifechanging work of the National Kidney Foundation: - To ensure that families will have a place to turn when they need answers. - To keep up the fight for policy changes to protect kidney patients and living donors. - To drive innovation in transplantation and get more loved ones off the kidney transplant waitlist. Are you with me? PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY EFFORTS WITH A GENEROUS DONATION.