National Kidney Foundation

Photo -- Diana Walker

On the eve of this holiday season--and yes, I do mean Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa-- I'm writing to you about a subject close to my heart. My kidneys. Or what's left of them anyway.

Anyway, I know from whence I speak, because whence back, way before it became trendy, I've been involved with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Forget about my Pulitzer -- you're talking to a guy who was honored at the Foundation's Kidney Ball!

And that was long before I ever suffered major kidney failure, and long before I ever decided to forego dialysis and head straight to a hospice to live out the last few months of my life. But a funny thing happened to me on the way to the cemetery. Death took a holiday, so I left the hospice and returned home.

Believe me, I know exactly how rare and miraculous my reprieve has been, but short of waiting for miracles, there's so much work to be done, and so much help we can offer right now to the NKF's ongoing mission to support the 20 million people in our country who struggle with kidney disease.

Will you please consider making a generous gift to assist the efforts of your local NKF to reach all Americans at risk for kidney disease? And if it's not a generous one, just make it a BIG one. Seriously, your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more will help us reach our goal this holiday season.*

All kidding aside (for now), me and the miracle Buchwald twins (my kidneys), along with everyone else at the NKF, wish you the happiest and healthiest of holidays.

Art Buchwald

*Make your gift on-line today! Thank you!