A local man is organizing an event to honor caregivers and organ donors and bring awareness to the preventable nature of some cases of kidney disease.

The event will come to Suffolk this year after being held in four other Hampton Roads cities in prior years. Wallace Green, the organizer of the event, said he accepted the request of Loretta Wilson and Rosa Bell to hold the event in Suffolk. Both have experienced family members with kidney disease, Green said.

He started the program while he was still taking dialysis. He received a kidney transplant in June 2015 — after his body had rejected a prior one — and said he’s doing well.

But he’s discouraged by how nobody talks about the preventable nature of some cases of kidney disease.

“They can actually slow down the progression and even stop it,” Green said. “But you’ve got to be serious about changing your health in order for it to change.”

March is National Kidney Month, and March 10 is World Kidney Day this year. Green said that in addition to bringing attention to the fact that kidney disease is preventable, he wants to honor caregivers for those suffering from any serious injury, illness or disability, as well as living organ donors and family members, at the March 12 event.

“Many caregivers are going above and beyond what they’re getting paid for,” Green said.

And as for organ donation, “It’s one of the greatest gifts that you can imagine,” he said.

All are welcome at the March 12 event at the Hilton Garden Inn, 100 E. Constance Road, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Nominations for honorees are being accepted through Feb. 22. Visit www.healthawarenesskidneydance.com, call 376-7645 or email healthawareness@outlook.com for more information. Nominations also can be mailed to Health and Awareness Hero, P.O. Box 64713, Virginia Beach, VA 23647. Nominators should include their name and address, relationship to nominee, the nominee’s contact information, and 200 words or fewer explaining why the nominee is deserving.

Tickets to the event also can be purchased through the website, phone number or email listed above. They are $35 through Feb. 12, when the price rises to $45.