Charlotte kidney Walk Seeks Funds For Research As Transplant Recipient Marks One-Year Milestone
November 13, 2025 — by Transplant News
USA: Melissa Rubio, a kidney transplant recipient and presenter at the event, will mark her one-year anniversary with a donated kidney the Friday before the city’s kidney Walk, returning to emcee the fundraiser she hosted last year. The National kidney Foundation-organized walk is set to begin at 9 a.m. next Saturday at the Mint Museum in Randolph in Charlotte, and Rubio is urging community members to register, form teams and join her WBTV team for the route that includes family-friendly activities and a kids corner.
Organizers described the foundation’s focus on patient support, advocacy, professional resources, research and innovation, and stressed that the walk is designed to raise both awareness and financial support for people living with kidney disease. Rubio outlined how fundraising fuels research initiatives, helps drive earlier diagnoses, and supports treatments for those on dialysis or facing progressive kidney failure. The event will also offer outreach through community-based and faith-based centers to share information about risk factors and care options.
The campaign is working toward a $100,000 fundraising target and has reported $81,000 raised so far. Event leaders called for additional donations and participant registrations to close the gap, emphasizing that money raised will go directly to programs and services for patients in need. Community involvement was framed as a practical way to help move treatments forward and power research that organizers said can translate into earlier detection and better outcomes.
Rubio invited individuals to come alone or with friends and family, wear orange, and participate in a day that combines awareness, education and celebration of transplant survival. The walk’s programming aims to connect people with resources, share personal experiences and strengthen the local kidney disease community as it pushes for improved care and scientific progress.
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