Fresenius Medical Care North America Contributes Record Funding to National Kidney Foundation

$800,000 Raised for Kidney Disease Awareness and Prevention Through Kidney Walks

News provided by

Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.

Dec 12, 2018, 08:00 ET

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the world's largest provider of dialysis products and services, raised more than $800,000 for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) centerpiece Kidney Walk fundraiser, the nation's largest fundraising initiative to fight kidney disease. The company, which served as National Presenting Sponsor, bested its own record set last year by more than $100,000, raising the most ever by a National Team.

FMCNA's sponsorship included a $400,000 corporate contribution and more than $400,000 in donations raised by FMCNA employees who participated in the walks. Participation as a National Team propelled FMCNA past their fundraising goal to make an even greater impact on kidney care. This year, more than 5,600 FMCNA employees joined almost 400 teams at 71 Kidney Walks across the country.

"Our partnership with the National Kidney Foundation is one of the ways we live our mission to improve the quality of life of every patient every day," said Bill Valle, chief executive officer of Fresenius Medical Care North America, who served as the Inaugural National Corporate Walk Chair. "I am humbled by the incredible enthusiasm and support our employees demonstrated throughout the 2018 Walks. This is just one of the many examples of how our teams go above and beyond every day to put our patients first."

"Exceeding this year's fundraising goal is a big win for everyone affected by kidney disease and we're proud of our partnership with FMCNA," said Kevin Longino, chief executive officer of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. "Since 2012, FMCNA has been on the front lines with us in the fight to raise awareness about and find solutions for kidney disease, and to improve the lives of patients with kidney disease."

The NKF held Kidney Walks in more than 100 communities as 85,000 walkers raised more than $9 million to help kidney patients and their families, with 81 cents of every dollar donated going directly to support NKF programs and services. Since 2012, FMCNA has raised more than $2 million for the National Kidney Foundation.

To see a video of walkers and fundraisers in action at the Boston walk near the company's Waltham headquarters, visit here.

About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) is the premier healthcare company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world's largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://fmcna.com.

Kidney Disease Facts
Thirty million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease – and most aren't aware of it. One in three American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are three times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly one and a half times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end stage renal disease (kidney failure).

About National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information about the NKF visit www.kidney.org.

Fresenius Medical Care North America
Brad Puffer
Director of Public Relations
[email protected]
(781) 699-3331

SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.