Out of the Park: Washington Nationals 2016 First-round Pick Carter Kieboom Helps Kidney Patients by Raffling Autographed Bat and Gloves for American Kidney Fund

HAGERSTOWN, Md., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Inspired by a viral video of a kidney patient receiving a custom Topps baseball card with a lifesaving message of a kidney donation, Hagerstown Suns shortstop Carter Kieboom is raising money for the American Kidney Fund (AKF) to raise awareness of the urgent need for living kidney donation.

When kidney patient and AKF Advocate Steve Winfree opened the pack of baseball cards, Kieboom's was one of the cards he drew – right before he drew the custom card surprising him with the news that his wife, Heather, is a match to donate her kidney to him. After the video went viral, with more than 10 million views to date, Winfree began working with the American Kidney Fund on a campaign, Step Up to the Plate, to raise awareness about being an organ donor.

Kieboom, who was the first-round draft pick for the Washington Nationals in 2016, was moved by Steve and Heather's commitment to the cause of kidney transplant. He wanted to make a contribution, so he joined AKF's KIDNEYNATION fundraising community and set up his own custom fundraiser in which he is raffling an autographed bat and baseball gloves. Each donation of $25 at Kieboom's fundraising page (https://fundraise.kidneyfund.org/kieboom) will earn one entry into the raffle. In addition, anyone who donates $250 will get a signed batting glove, and any $1,000 donation will receive a signed bat.

"Steve Winfree and his story have inspired me to help with a game much greater than baseball, the game of life!" Kieboom said.

"We're thrilled that Carter has joined our KIDNEYNATION team to make a difference for people living with kidney disease," said LaVarne A. Burton, president and chief executive officer of the American Kidney Fund. "Like Carter, we were all moved by the viral video of Steve and Heather and her emotional message that she would be his kidney donor. Carter's efforts will help us spread awareness of the urgent need for kidney donation while helping raise funds to help patients living with kidney disease today."

Kieboom's fundraising raffle is going on now and the winners will be drawn on August 31. An image of the autographed bat and gloves can be seen here.

Fundraising through KIDNEYNATION supports the people AKF serves through its lifesaving programs, which include kidney disease education and prevention, clinical research, treatment-related financial assistance for 1 in 5 U.S. dialysis patients, and awareness about kidney transplant. Ninety-seven cents of every dollar donated to AKF goes to patient programs and services, and AKF has been named a Top 10 Charity by Charity Navigator for its financial stewardship of donated dollars.

For more information about the American Kidney Fund, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  To learn more about the Step Up to the Plate organ donation campaign, visit KidneyFund.org/stepup.

SOURCE American Kidney Fund

Related Links

http://www.kidneyfund.org