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Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) will kick off the 4th Annual Cocoa Beach “Foot Prints in the Sand” Kidney Beach Walk presented by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of Florida as a tribute to organ donation. The walk will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 9th, 2015 at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach Florida. The day’s activities will begin with a Zumba class on the beach to warm up, a “Circle of Life” paddle-out, followed by the 5K “Footprints in the Sand” non-competitive kidney walk, a “Sand Castles of Hope” contest, footprints of faith keepsakes, the Dialysis Patients Recognition Award and Team MomStrong, donor mom's walking in support of the gift of life.

“It’s an honor to again take part in this year’s Cocoa Beach Kidney Walk,” said Congressman Bill Posey, who is a member of the Congressional Kidney Caucus. “Kidney disease is common and treatable, but early detection is the key. It effects so many – nearly 1 in 3 adults are at risk of developing kidney disease and nearly 26 million Americans have it – many don’t even know it.”

“The National Kidney Foundation of Florida currently holds 9 walks across the state. The Cocoa Beach Kidney Walk is our only beach walk. Our walks give us a great opportunity to meet our living donors and donor families face to face. As well as well as educate people about the life-saving importance of organ donation,” said Savanna Pitard, Regional Development Manager for the National Kidney Foundation. “Every month the National Kidney Foundation donates $14,000 in direct aid to dialysis patients struggling to pay bills, obtain transportation to life-sustaining dialysis treatments, or simply buying daily groceries. We are so thankful to Congressman Posey's continued support for those affected by kidney disease. The walk has grown over the years and will continue to save many lives.”

“The 4th Annual Cocoa Beach Footprints in the Sand Kidney Walk has continued to grow every year. This event is a labor of love and my mission. I was given the gift of life on New Year’s Day of 2009. On that day I was delivered from blindness, diabetes, cancer, dialysis, coma and seizures. I know firsthand what heartache chronic kidney disease can bring and I have seen what events like this can do to raise the hopes of the 123,384 patients still waiting. Congressman Posey has been instrumental both on the Hill and on the beach in his dedication to our cause and our walk. He has been given the nickname of “The Golden Footprinter” and literally walks the walk every year,” said Bill Hahn, Walk Co-Founder and Chair.

“The Cocoa Beach Footprints is a beautiful continuation and extension of the Richard K. Salick Labor Day Surf Festival. My twin brother and Billy Hahn co-founded the walk in 2012. Billy was on the original Salick surf team and became the original member of the Salick kidney recipient team. Their shared vision has created an even broader base of awareness to the critical need for organ donors. Our two events, both held at the Cocoa Beach Pier, raised over $200,000 every year. Our hundreds of volunteers are tireless in their support and many of our sponsors support both events. Congressman Posey started his support and friendship with my brother Rich and the National Kidney Foundation many years ago and it has grown with the addition of the kidney walk,” said Phil Salick, Operations & Events Coordinator, Honorary Board of Trustee.