29th Annual Kidney Ball Raises
$1 Million to Fight Kidney Disease
in the National Capital Area

More than 1,000 of the Washington, D.C., area’s top business, government and community leaders, as well as kidney patients and their families, came together on Nov. 21 to kick off the holiday season at the 29th Annual Kidney Ball. The event raised more than $1 million, one of the largest fundraisers of the National Kidney Foundation nationwide. Guests dined on gourmet food, bid on unique auction items, and enjoyed a special performance by 2006 Rock and Rock Hall of Fame inductee Blondie.

Various celebrities came out to help raise awareness about kidney disease in the DC area including Nyjer Morgan, centerfielder for the Washington Nationals, Colt Brennan, quarterback for the Washington Redskins, DC Council Member and former Mayor Marion Barry, and his kidney donor Kim Dickens, and world renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and her husband Dr. Robert Montgomery, chief of transplantation at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Chairing the Ball this year was William Couper, president Mid-Atlantic Bank of America. Vice Chairs included Carleton S. Jones, president of the INDUS Corporation, Jim Duffey and Debbie Ikirt, CEO of Information Innovators, Inc. Major event sponsors included Bank of America, Bert Smith & Co., The Bedford Falls Foundation, DaVita, Host Hotels & Resorts, IBM, Ronald D. Paul Companies and Sutherland Media Productions.

Known for stealing bases, Nyjer Morgan stole the spotlight as he assisted in auctioning off an autographed National’s base and VIP experience. He also offered to play wiffle ball at a children’s party, much to the delight of a happy couple who won the bidding war. Morgan, along with many other supporters, helped to make the live and silent auctions a big success. Some of the most popular items included a vacation for two to Lana'i, a fighter pilot experience, and a guitar autographed by Deborah Harry and Blondie.