Who We Are

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.

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OUR PROGRAMS

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

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.

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.

Our Foundation

Board of Directors & STAFF

Officers of the Board

Margaret Weller-Stargell, President
Mark Tyler, Chair
Jennifer Cranford, Vice-Chair
Jan Pahl, Secretary

Board Members

Zedrick Applin
Draughon Cranford
Tim Gardner
Andrew Givens
Clayton Gsell
Paul LeCompte
Cat Marinich
Tracy Pope
Sheri Shaw
Jeff Waller
Kelli Wilson
Shannon Winslow

Advisory Board

Jackie Amato
Arthur Culbreth
Dave Davis
JoAnne Fox
Rick Goldbach
Janet Rose
Diana Schulman
Jonathan Stargell
Michelle Turner
Frances Weller
Cheryl White

Director Emeritus

Dr. James McCabe

Executive Director

Meghan S. Tadlock