NKR-Sponsored Kidney Donor Athletes to Run Los Angeles Marathon to Raise Awareness About Living Kidney Donation

Kidney donor athletes Matt Cavanaugh and Hilary Baude, after successfully completing the first marathon of their 1K12M (One Kidney, 12 Marathons) challenge, are gearing up for the next marathon on the list, the Los Angeles Marathon on March 19.

1K12M is a full-year challenge sponsored by the National Kidney Registry, in which Matt and Hilary will participate in 12 marathons throughout 2023 all across the United States.

“I can’t wait to get to the start line in L.A., the City of Angels, where everybody’s a star or soon to be one, because I know that Angelenos will come out to support living kidney donation and this great marathon,” said Cavanaugh.

“I am so excited to visit L.A. on our second stop on this 12-marathon journey,” said Hilary. “Thank you, L.A., for welcoming us and helping us raise awareness for living kidney donation!”

Matt and Hilary were both among the top finishers in the Publix Atlanta Marathon, which was held on February 26. Out of 1,335 total participants, Matt placed 17th overall with a time of 2:55:37 and Hilary was 169th overall at 3:45:11.

After the Los Angeles race, Matt and Hilary plan to participate in events in Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Denver, San Diego, San Francisco, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, and Honolulu.

For more information on the 1K12M challenge, visit the Donor Games website. To follow Matt and Hilary during the race, use the LA Marathon Runner Tracker.

About Matt Cavanaugh

Matt Cavanaugh, PhD, is a retiring US military officer who serves as the President of the National Kidney Donor Organization. He twice earned the Bronze Star Medal, as well as the Combat Action Badge, for his service in Iraq. Matt donated his left kidney on September 15, 2021, to a stranger and started a donation chain.

About Hilary Baude

Hilary Baude is a kindergarten teacher who donated her kidney to a stranger in May of 2021 and is now an active member of the National Kidney Donation Organization. Hilary was an NCAA Division 1 swimmer and has run 14 marathons to date. She competed in her first Ironman in 2022, placing third in her age group.

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Founding Sponsors

  • National Kidney Foundation
  • National Kidney Registry
  • National Kidney Donation Organization