Hundreds laced up their sneakers Sunday to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to raise awareness and funds for kidney disease.

Officials with the National Kidney Foundation, which hosted the event, say kidney disease is on the rise. They say they are trying to reach the one in three American adults who are at risk of the disease with important prevention messages before it is too late.

Participants say they are taking life-saving steps by making the trek across the bridge and are proud to take part in the walk.

Across the country, more than 75,000 people are walking for the National Kidney Foundation, and have raised about $8 million to help patients and their families.