AAKP 4th Annual Fun Walk:

Taking Steps Toward a Healthier Mind & Body!

AAKP is excited to launch its AAKP 4th Annual Fun Walk and expand on our virtual fun walk opportunities to ensure the safety of all participants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s fully virtual AAKP Fun Walk will be hosted December 5-9, 2022, to allow for participants to make the most out of the experience and participate in activities at their own pace and schedule!

The AAKP Fun Walk is a unique opportunity for individuals affected by kidney diseases, their friends, family members, and local communities across the globe to come together to raise awareness of this chronic illness that impacts an estimated 850 million people worldwide and support the great work of AAKP. 

AAKP is the oldest and largest, fully independent kidney patient organization in the U.S.A and is dedicated to improving the lives and long-term outcomes of kidney patients through education, advocacy, patient engagement, and the fostering of patient communities. AAKP fights for early disease detection including appropriate diagnosis of rare/genetic diseases; increased kidney transplantation and pre-emptive transplantation; full patient choice of either in-center or home dialysis; protection of the patient/physician relationship; promotion of research and innovation including artificial implantable and wearable kidneys and xenotransplantation; and the elimination of barriers for patient access to available treatment options.

IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO PARTICIPATE!

Virtually – Whether you are based in the U.S. or across the globe, AAKP has made it easy for you to join in on the fun! Show your support by participating in the following activities held Dec. 5 – 9:

• “Count your steps” challenge
• Virtual mind and body OnDemand sessions
• Social media activities
• Raise funds to support AAKP’s programs and services!

MONDAY: Mindful Monday | Check out AAKP’s OnDemand Virtual Mind and Body videos and articles to expand your mind and support your mental health! Share your favorite mind and body tip or quote and tag us using #AAKPFunWalk22!

TUESDAY: Tasty Tuesday | Feed your body and support your physical health by trying some new AAKP Delicious! kidney-friendly recipes! Tell us your favorite or share a selfie of you cooking and tag us using #AAKPFunWalk22!

WEDNESDAY: Workout Wednesday | Check out AAKP’s OnDemand Virtual Mind and Body videos that will help you get up and get moving! Wear your AAKP Fun Walk t-shirt, post a selfie, and tag us using #AAKPFunWalk22!

THURSDAY: Throwback Thursday | Have fun while getting in your steps! Dress in your favorite decade for your walk or activities and post it to social media to make people smile and inspire others to join along. Be sure to tag us at #AAKPFunWalk22!

FRIDAY: Friendship Friday | Invite a friend to take a walk with you! Don't forget to snap a photo together and post it to social media using #AAKPFunWalk22!

It’s #AAKPFUNWALK22! Don’t miss out!

Registration is only $25 per person! All registrants will receive an AAKP Fun Walk t-shirt (sizes are based on availability and can be requested during registration on a first come, first served basis). The first 100 Fun Walk registrants will also receive an AAKP swag bag filled with everything you need to get moving, including a pair of AAKP socks, shoelaces, and exercise towel! For an additional $5 donation, receive an AAKP Decade of the Kidney™ commemorative coin!

Learn more about how YOU can get involved in the 2022 AAKP 4th Annual Fun Walk!

As the nation and the world confronts the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, AAKP is committed to continuing to maintain and expand our services to kidney patients, their families, and caregivers.  As patients ourselves, AAKP’s leadership and Board know that the daily life of a chronic kidney disease patient is highly stressful, especially since we manage a complex web of medications, treatments and modalities, and a host of complex underlying medical conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic may be stressful for people, especially those already living with a chronic illness or underlying condition(s). Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Recommended public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated, lonely, and can increase stress and anxiety. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. This is why AAKP chose to focus it’s 2022 Fun Walk on “Taking Steps to a Healthier Mind & Body”!

Step 1: Register for the AAKP Fun Walk!

Step 2: Set up your fundraising page and share with your friends, family, and network! Encourage them to support you by donating to your efforts to increase awareness of kidney diseases and raise funds to support the work of AAKP, all while taking steps to a healthier mind and body during this unprecedented time! The top 3 walkers with the most donations raised will receive an AAKP coffee mug and Amazon eGift Card. 

Step 3: Take part in the “Count Your Steps” challenge by tracking your miles over Dec. 5-9! Submit your total number of miles on Dec. 12 by 5 p.m. ET to vgonzalez@aakp.org to be entered into the challenge! The top 3 walkers with the highest number of miles will receive a special prize!

Step 4: Not interested in entering yourself into the “Count Your Steps” challenge? No problem – AAKP has you covered! Register to join one or more of our virtual healthy mind and body OnDemand sessions! Learn breathing techniques to manage stress and anxiety, discover how meditation and mindfulness can re-energize the body, and find out how yoga can be incorporated, at any fitness level, to stretch the mind and body! 

Step 5: Share your successes with AAKP! Send us pictures throughout Dec. 5-9 of you walking and joining our virtual sessions! Photos can be emailed to jrate@aakp.org. Please be sure to include your name and a brief description of your activity. Posting on your own social media pages? Tag us at Facebook @kidneypatient and Twitter/Instagram @kidneypatients and use the hashtag #AAKPFunWalk22.

Questions? Contact us at info@aakp.org or (800) 749-AAKP (2257)!

https://aakp.org/programs-and-events/fun-walk/