JOPLIN, Mo. - More than 120 area residents made the traditional 1-mile lap around the interior of Joplin’s sprawling Northpark Mall during the 10th Annual March O’ the Kidney walk.

The primary goal behind the event is to educate area residents about their kidneys – one step at a time.

“We do this to honor the patients who have passed from kidney disease, celebrate those currently on dialysis, and to raise funds and awareness about kidney disease,” said Teri Williams, Administrative Director of Dialysis Services at Freeman.

One hundred percent of all proceeds go directly to the Freeman Dialysis Patient Assistance Fund, which financially helps dialysis patients suffering from chronic kidney disease with additional costs from medications, nutritional supplements, medical equipment and transportation to and from live-saving appointments.

“Every penny stays within our department,” Williams said.

This assistance is absolutely crucial for patients who must go on dialysis. These lengthy treatments – four hours a day, three days a week – make it difficult for them to maintain full-time jobs.

“We just want to help,” Williams continued, “and this is a way we can do that to help them reach the optimal level of health and function.”

Many of the participants wore matching t-shirts or held up signs of family members fighting the disease. Dan Turner Jr., for example, walked in honor of his late father, who participated in the first-ever March O’ the Kidney but passed away prior to the second one.

“Our whole family now walks together, every year, in his memory,” he said. “It’s a family cause.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthy kidneys filter the body’s blood every 30 minutes, removing wastes and toxins. When kidneys begin to fail, excess waste remains inside the body. That can potentially cause additional health problems such as heart disease or stroke.

For more information about Freeman Nephrology & Dialysis Center, visit them at 932 E. 34th Street or call them at 417.347.8570.