Redskins safety Reed Doughty has taken some serious hits on the field. But none more serious than the hit his family took in August 2006.
His first born son, Micah, was born six weeks prematurely with severe kidney failure. He spent a year of his young life on daily dialysis and received a kidney transplant at 18 months. The donor was Doughty’s wife, Katie. It was a harrowing journey for his family, and while his son is now a healthy, happy child, Doughty’s journey with the disease that nearly took his son is just beginning.
On Sunday, April 3, Doughty will be participating in the inaugural Northern Virginia Kidney Walk. As honorary chair for the event, he takes the National Kidney Foundation, and its message, very seriously.
“For so many people, kidney disease is preventable,” he explained to us. “I really want to raise awareness about it, and help people learn what they can do to get screened.”
According to the Foundation, one in nine Americans has chronic kidney disease. Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
The pain his family went through has had a lingering effect on Doughty, and it’s something that won’t happen to others if he can help it.
“I’m excited about raising the money,” he said. “But helping to raise awareness and teach people what they can do to prevent kidney disease is the most important thing to me.”
Doughty’s fundraising goal for this event is $1,000, and with less than a week to go the total stands at $550. Fans can help him meet his goal by donating through his Team Reed Doughty page.
The event kicks off at Reston Town Center at 2 p.m. on April 3. Doughty is inviting anyone who wants to join him to walk with his team.
“You can donate to my team or you can come walk with me,” Doughty said. “I’m going to be leading the charge, walking the route and talking to people along the way.”
Thanks to the research events like this one provide for, his son can walk with him.
For more information on the walk and how you can help, click here.
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