(March 20, 2024, New York, NY) —The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is proud to announce that Imperial Headwear will join us once again as the “Official Headwear” of the 37th Annual NKF Golf Classic. Funds raised through this fun event help NKF promote optimal kidney health and improve the lives of the 37 million Americans affected by kidney disease. NKF Golf Classic events are held at some of the most prestigious courses across the country providing corporations additional opportunities to partner with customers and colleagues while supporting corporate social responsibility and a great cause.
"Imperial is proud to partner with the NKF through their annual Golf Classic and with our membership into the Circle of Excellence (COE) program that allows us to actively champion a living donor policy at our company," stated Kelly Long, Director of Human Resources at Imperial. "Recognizing the critical importance of kidney transplants, we emphasize the significance of proactive living donor engagement. We have a strong culture that prioritizes the health and well-being of our team members but also extends support to their families and the communities we serve. By aligning with the NKF, we aim to raise awareness about the transformative impact of living kidney donation and encourage our employees and the communities we serve to consider becoming living donors."
"Golf has long been a cherished escape, offering both recreation and rejuvenation for centuries. During recent global challenges, its role as a sanctuary has only amplified," remarked David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales at Imperial Headwear. "We're honored to continue our partnership with the NKF, ensuring our signature hats grace their golfing gatherings nationwide. It's a privilege to support patients and families living with and/or at risk of kidney disease," Shaffer said.
Successful since it was founded in 1987, the NKF Golf Classic is The Premier Amateur Golf Event for Charity. Each year thousands of golfers from across the country participate in nearly 30 local events held at top venues, entertaining clients, and playing for the chance to qualify for the National Finals at Pebble Beach. Participating golfers raise $3.5 million annually to benefit the National Kidney Foundation and the more than 1 and 7 Americans affected by kidney disease. The series showcases AmeriHealth as a National Corporate Partner. National Promotional Partners include the Greg Norman Collection and Imperial Headwear.
The partnership between the NKF and Imperial Headwear includes a curated headwear collection, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting NKF. For more information about the NKF Golf Classic, or to find an upcoming event near you, please visit NKFGolfClassic.com.
About Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 37 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
About Imperial
Imperial is a consumer apparel brand founded in 1916 with design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities. Imperial sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, and supply chain channels. Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, Adidas and many other global brands.
Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for six consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech.
Imperial is also proud to fund the Imperial Foundation, a separate philanthropic organization committed to the growth and vitality of sports—especially the game of golf and those who support it—as well as the overall health and well-being of the people in the communities Imperial serves. For further information, please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on Instagram at @ImperialHats.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/
########