National Kidney Foundation honors Cape Region volunteers

The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland recently held its annual Volunteer Awards Reception at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Nephrology Associates, the Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, the event recognized individuals and organizations for their time and hard work on behalf of the foundation.

“Our volunteers truly are the lifeline of this lifesaving organization,” said Cassie Shafer, NKF-MD’s president and CEO. “We thank them for all their time and hard work in helping us in our fight against kidney disease, which remains No. 9 in the top 10 causes of death.”

NKF-MD presented 25 awards, including two to Delaware residents Kristy and Michael Ferracci of Millsboro, who received the Southern Delaware Kidney Walk All-Star Committee Award.

Kristy, who donated her kidney to Michael, is a dialysis technician at Fresenius, caring for patients every day, and this year served as the walk chair.

Debbie Peterman received the Delmarva Community and Patient Services Committee All-Star Award.

As a nurse practitioner at Nephrology Associates, Peterman, a Lewes resident, has been a dedicated volunteer, helping facilitate the KEY (Kidneys, Evaluate Yours) events in the Delaware area, as well as volunteering on the committee for the Southern Delaware Kidney Walk. She secured many components for the walk, including the beloved petting zoo.

In addition to honoring the volunteers, the reception celebrated NFK-MD’s many accomplishments throughout the year, such as free community health screenings, information and awareness campaigns, educational talks, fundraising, research and emergency assistance.

For more information go to www.kidneymd.org.