Donor Story

Jamie Graves is a kidney cancer advocate and member of the Kidney Cancer Association's Board of Directors since 2017. She is running the 2024 Chicago Marathon to support kidney cancer research. Learn more about Jamie's fundraiser. Dressed in bright orange from her tutu to her racing flats – you can’t miss Jamie Graves when she’s running. And while the outfit…

This is a guest post by Mark Dyson, 39, whose wife Dawn is diagnosed with translocation renal cell carcinoma. Mark, who lives with his family in England, is preparing to run an ultramarathon on September 14-15, 2024, to raise funds for kidney cancer research. Mark Dyson embraced running and nature to cope with the stress of his partner's cancer diagnosis.…

This is a guest post by Christopher G. Wood, Jr, son of the KCA’s late Board Chair and friend, Dr. Christopher G. Wood, a world-renown urology surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Follow Chris’s “Journey to 30” as he aims to raise $30,000 by his 30th birthday on September 14th for the KCA’s Dr. Christopher G. Wood Endowment. Dr. Christopher…

Team – 82K Regional Challenge: Philadelphia The 82K Regional Challenge: Philadelphia team ready for their birding walk! Team Captain – Erin Tennity Richard. She fundraises with her nature-loving husband, Randy, who has been fighting kidney cancer since diagnosed in 2019. Location – Natural Lands' Bryn Coed Preserve, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania Date – June 8, 2024 Attendees: 15 Amount Raised – $7,993 Activity – An 82-minute nature and…

Team – 82K Regional Challenge: Oklahoma Once in a While Band performs at the 82K Regional Challenge: Oklahoma, led by Team Captain Claudia Tatum. Team Captain – Claudia Tatum, a kidney cancer patient and Member of the KCA’s Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council Location – Tulsa, Oklahoma Date – June 8, 2024 Attendees: 90 Fundraising Goal – $1,000 Amount Raised – $6,000 Activity – We had a…

Team Captain Annamaria Scaccia (center) with patient advocates John Ferrell (member, KCA Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council) and Katie Coleman (Founder of Kidney COA, a KCA Affiliate Partner). Team - 82K Regional Challenge: Austin Team Captain - Annamaria Scaccia, 2-time cancer survivor and Member, KCA's Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council Location - CycleBar in Cedar Park, Texas Date - June…

The 82K Regional Challenge: Oregon team. Team Captain - Lindsay Walker, teacher and kidney cancer survivor Location - Tualatin Community Park in Tualatin, Oregon Date - April 13, 2024 Attendees - About 60 Fundraising Goal - $8,200 Amount raised - $34,542 (I still can’t believe it!) Activity - “Choose Your Own Adventure” i.e., do anything for 82 minutes! There is…

This is a guest post by Christopher Wood, Jr, son of the KCA’s late Board Chair and friend, Dr. Christopher G. Wood, a world-renown urology surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Follow Chris’s “Journey to 30” as he aims to raise $30,000 by his 30th birthday on September 14th for the KCA’s Dr. Christopher G. Wood Endowment.…

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, Massachusetts recently recognized the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) for supporting researchers at the institution with over $1 million in funding. KCA’s name was placed on the DFCI’s Benefactors Wall, located on the third floor of the DFCI's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. “We are so pleased to honor KCA’s tremendous support of kidney…

This is a guest post by Hector Perez, a KCA Ambassador. It’s been 12 years since I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). There are still several nodules; however, they are under control and to this day I continue to lead a normal life and work. Right now, I am on Cabometyx 20 mg, but it took a long…