HOUSTON (September 20, 2009)

The "Renal Warriors of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital" are teaming up to walk in the National Kidney Foundation 2009 Kidney Walk, and all Houstonians are invited to lace up their sneakers and join the fun.

Led by Scott Wenderfer, MD, pediatric nephrologist at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, the team will join the Houston walk at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St.

The kidney disorders program at Children's Memorial Hermann recently was named among the top 20 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Children's Hospitals" 2009 survey.

"Patients who are treated in the Children's Memorial Hermann Dialysis Unit are heroically leading their lives with chronic kidney disease while attending school, working and starting careers," said Dr. Wenderfer, who also is an assistant professor of pediatric nephrology and hypertension at The University of Texas-Houston Medical School. "They are warriors, and we can do our part in the fight against kidney disease by joining the Kidney Walk."

The Kidney Walk is a non-competitive, fundraising walk focusing on education and prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases, and highlighting the need for organ donation.