Dover 5-year-old advocates for Northern Delaware Kidney Walk

NEWARK — The 16th annual Northern Delaware Kidney Walk this fall includes a special participant.

The event’s youth ambassador is Dawson Lee Davis, 5, who starts kindergarten at Fairview Elementary School in Dover next week.

Dawson just completed his first T-ball season and likes Transformers. He also has no left kidney, with his right one compensating.

Joined by his family, the young boy has attended similar gatherings in Delaware and Maryland, so his mother, Morgan Kirk, knows what to expect.

“The vibe is just amazing,” she said. “There’s just such a hopeful attitude because it’s not just people with the disease but kidney donors that are there, as well.

“To see the same people from year to year, whether they’re undergoing dialysis or maybe getting ready for a transplant, and then (to) see the progress of their health a year later is amazing.”

Dawson’s family, Ms. Kirk said, is at the ready to support any National Kidney Foundation venture because “they’ve been an amazing part of our lives.”

Through the agency, her son was connected with Nemours Children’s Health, which provided a kidney shield to allow him to play T-ball.

In promoting the walk — taking place at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at Glasgow Park — the foundation also highlighted Middletown’s Tawny Martin, who donated a kidney in April 2022.

Her case began when a friend, Amy Cain, let people know she needed a transplant.

“I just knew in my heart, and I’m not religious, that it would be me,” Ms. Martin said.

After testing, the friends were not optimal matches. However, Ms. Martin’s donation to another recipient moved Ms. Cain up the list of transplant candidates, leading to her receiving one in January 2023.

While expressing her extreme gratitude to Ms. Martin, Ms. Cain said she now feels wonderful.

“I’m working out. I’m back to work,” she noted. “I feel just great. My doctor said, ‘You were granted a ticket to a new life, so go out and live it.’”

The National Kidney Foundation notes that kidney disease is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, killing more every year than breast or prostate cancer. Plus, over 37 million American adults — 1 in 7 — are estimated to have the illness, and more than 90% aren’t aware of it.

In addition, 14 people die each day while waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant. In Delaware, 147 individuals are on the transplant list.

For the upcoming Kidney Walk, there’s no cost to participate, but donations are encouraged. The trek covers 2.6 miles, with shorter paths available.

DJ Manny Mann will provide music, and there will be stage entertainment, refreshments, community booths, kids’ activities and interactive vendors.

For information, visit kidneywalk.org/northernde or call Nicole Scharf at 410-726-8732.