DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2009-- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced that the fourth annual DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walks™ raised a total of $257,025 as part of a campaign to increase awareness of kidney disease. All funds benefit The Kidney TRUST™, a 501c(3) non-profit organization working to prevent kidney disease through public education and awareness across the United States.

The 10-city series of 5K run/walks attracted nearly 2,500 participants and volunteers in Denver,Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Sacramento, Long Beach, Ft. Worth, Virginia Beach andWashington, D.C.

“We are very pleased by the great turnout around the country for this year’s DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walk series,” said Barbara Lawson, President and CEO of The Kidney TRUST. “DaVita, the sponsors and participants can take great pride in knowing that more people understand the risks of kidney disease and the importance of kidney screening as a result of the Run/Walk series.”

A silent epidemic, CKD affects one in nine Americans, totaling around 26 million adults, with 90 percent unaware they are suffering from it. The chance that an American adult has CKD is almost as high as an American woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize CKD as a major public health problem that reduces the quality and length of life.

For photos, videos and highlights from the fourth annual DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walk series, please visit www.kidneyawarenesstime.org.

To find DaVita in social media:

• Click here for DaVita on Facebook
• Click here for DaVita on Twitter
• Click here for DaVita on YouTube

DaVita® is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita has been recognized as the only FORTUNE 500® company on WorldBlu’s annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces™. As of September 30, 2009, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,513 outpatient dialysis facilities and acute units in approximately 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 117,000 patients. As part of DaVita’s commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6103957&lang=en

Source: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc.
Craig Handzlik
310-536-2542
Craig.Handzlik@DaVita.com