Polycystic kidney disease is among the most common life-threatening genetic diseases — and one of the least known, which is exactly what the PKD Foundation's national walk series fights. The NYC edition puts the community on the East River Esplanade for a morning of connection between families who often manage the disease invisibly. Walk to fund research toward treatments, or to stand with someone whose kidneys you've never had to think about.
What to expect
Team check-ins and a short program, then a group walk along the river esplanade at an easy pace, with foundation tables and community time bookending it. Expect team shirts and tribute signs throughout.
Good to know
- The East River Esplanade route is announced with registration — typically an upper Manhattan riverside stretch
- Register via the PKD Foundation's walk site; spectators free
- Flat, accessible riverside path throughout
- Fundraising teams are the norm — joining one is a one-click affair
- The program before the walk is short; arrive for check-in, not just step-off
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
What is PKD?
Polycystic kidney disease — a genetic disorder causing kidney cysts and, often, kidney failure; it affects hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Do I need to fundraise to walk?
No — registration alone supports the cause, though team fundraising is where the walk's real dollars come from.
