Nearly 6,000 people are expected to attend this fun, inspiring, community fundraiser, which calls attention to the need for organ donation and prevention of kidney disease – the 9th leading cause of death in the United States and kills more people every year than breast cancer, prostate cancer or leukemia.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. in Parking Lot C, where guests will be greeted by a cast of characters and mascots. Following warm-up exercises and a brief opening ceremony, the Walk will kick off at 10 a.m.

After taking the 2-mile path around the stadium, everyone can reconvene in Parking Lot C for complimentary refreshments, music and performances, and activities for the whole family. The KidsZone, sponsored by Home Depot, will feature children’s building projects, face painting, coloring, temporary tattoos and more!

Adding to the excitement, KidneyCon will debut with ComicWow!, Diamond Comic Distributors and Geppi’s Entertainment Museum as presenting sponsors. Walkers are encouraged to dress as their favorite comic book, cartoon, game or pop culture character. There will be a costume contest, t-shirt decorating, prizes, giveaways – including capes for all children in attendance courtesy of Maryland Proton Treatment Center – and other fun ways to recognize kidney survivors and donors as superheroes.

Funds raised through Kidney Walk will directly support NKF-MD’s patient services, education and research efforts. Participation is free and $100 is the minimum amount required to earn a Walk t-shirt. Companies, friends and families are encouraged to participate and form teams. Sponsorships are also available.

Serving central and western Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of Virginia and West Virginia, the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org.