Our Mission:
Honoring the Legacy of Willie Stargell by giving hope through research, patient care, and treatment for those living with kidney disease.
The Willie Stargell Foundation was founded in honor of baseball great Willie Stargell who died of kidney disease in 2001.
The Willie Stargell Foundation supports programs focusing on kidney disease research, patient care, and easing the financial burden of medical costs for patients facing kidney disease, in honor of Baseball Hall of Fame Member Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Stargell passed away in 2001 after a lengthy battle with renal failure. Having spent the last five years of his life receiving dialysis treatments, it was his desire that patients who need dialysis are able to receive it, and that it be done in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Stargell’s widow, Margaret Weller-Stargell, wanted to do everything in her power to make his wishes come true.
Funds for the foundation are raised through fundraising events such as the Willie Stargell 5K Road Race, Willie Stargell Celebrity Invitational, and private donations.
Here are just some of the great programs that have partnered with the Willie Stargell Foundation:
- New Hanover Regional Medical Center which holds the Willie Stargell “Pops” Dialysis Center
- DaVita Dialysis
- UNC-Chapel Hill Transplant Outreach Program
- Duke University Transplant Outreach Program
- East Carolina University Kidney Transplant Program
- Carolinas Medical Center Kidney Transplant Program
- UNCW Nursing Scholarship
- Cape Fear Community College Nursing Scholarship
- Wake Forest Baptist Health
- Pharmacy Programs
- Individual Patient Care/Assistance
Monique Moses Patient Assistance Fund
The Monique Moses Patient Assistance Fund is in honor of our friend Monique Moses, who we sadly lost from kidney disease. The grant assists patients who are going through the kidney transplant process. We are forever grateful for the kindness and friendship of our dear friend Monique.
The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease
Source: National Kidney Foundation
- 26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk.
- Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
- Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.
- Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
- High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney failure.
- African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Seniors are at increased risk.
- Two simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine. But you must ask your doctor for these tests.
Our Foundation
Board of Directors
Officers of the Board
Margaret Weller-Stargell, President
Draughon Cranford, Chair
Andrew Givens, Vice-Chair
Cheryl White, Treasurer
Jan Pahl, Secretary
Board Members
Jackie Amato
Tim Gardner
Rick Goldbach
Clayton Gsell
Chris Hardeman
Paul LeCompte
Cat Marinich
Tracy Pope
Diana Schulman
Sheri Shaw
Michelle Turner
Mark Tyler
Advisory Board
Arthur Culbreth
Dave Davis
JoAnne Fox
Bob Lebda
Buddy Lewis
Kevin McClatchy
Janet Rose
Jonathan Stargell
Frances Weller
Tony Womack
Dr. Jonathan Woods
Director Emeritus
Dr. James McCabe