Hundreds of people whose lives have been affected by kidney disease will gather at The Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville, Md., on Sunday, May 1 to call attention to the need for early detection and organ donation.

The Ronald D. Paul Companies Kidney Walk benefiting the National Kidney Foundation – a Redskins Health and Wellness partner – is a fun, inspiring community fundraiser that supports kidney disease prevention services and brings together patients, families, friends and businesses to support the millions of Americans with chronic kidney disease.

Check-in for the Kidney Walk begins at 2 p.m. at The Mall at Prince Georges. The Walk begins at 3 p.m.

Glenn Ivey, Partner at Venable LLD and former State's Attorney Prince George's County, is the Kidney Walk Chairman. The Honorable Donna Edwards (D-Md.), whose father was a kidney patient, will be in attendance to show her support for the cause.

WJLA reporter Sam Ford is the Master of Ceremonies. Special guests include Ms. Maryland Tiffany Parker and Miss Virginia Junior Teen Nyasha Sprow.

The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area has the highest prevalence of kidney disease in the nation with more than 700,000 people affected, nearly 6,000 patients on dialysis and more than 1,500 waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. 

Of these 6,000 local dialysis patients, one-third are treated in Prince George's county – the county that is home to the Redskins stadium, FedExField. Since 2005, the number of patients on dialysis in Prince George's County has increased by 37 percent. 

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney disease. Prince George's County is one of the top five counties in Maryland with the highest prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Minorities are disproportionately affected by kidney disease. African Americans are nearly four times more likely to have kidney disease as caucasians. 

For the past two years, the Washington Redskins have partnered with the National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area to raise awareness about risk factors for kidney disease and the importance of early detection.

To demonstrate their commitment, Redskins players have attended community events, such as the NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo, and served as spokesmen for the Foundation through media outreach and public service announcements.

The Redskins Charity Challenge is also making a difference in the lives of kidney patients and their families by leveraging the great name recognition of the Washington Redskins to promote charitable giving, both in Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and across the country.

NKF/NCA is a proud Health and Wellness partner of the Washington Redskins. Through the partnership, NKF reaches fans of all ages and provides them with the tools necessary to prevent kidney disease through healthy eating habits and exercise.

Encouraging people to make a commitment to get and stay active is important to prevent obesity which can often lead to diabetes and high blood pressure.

For more information or to register for the Kidney Walk on May 1, go to www.kidneywalk.org/pg or call Libby Agliata at 202-244-7900.