December, 2009

Message from the President and CEO

Dear Friend,

In this season of giving and thanksgiving, I would like to thank you for being a friend and supporter of the American Kidney Fund. This holiday season, so many patients who are thankful for your help and support are writing to us just to say “thank you.” I recently read a letter from John Mayhew, a grant recipient and friend of AKF. John, a retired industrial firefighter, has seen his share of medical and financial hardships. For the past five years, the native of Louisville, Kentucky, has been fighting kidney failure and the accompanying health care expenses.

“I can’t thank the American Kidney Fund enough.  If it weren’t for organizations like the American Kidney Fund, there would be a lot of people in trouble,” John wrote. You can read more of John’s story here.

If your life has been affected by kidney disease, we invite you to share your story with us.

With best wishes for your continued good health,

LaVarne A. Burton
President and CEO

Let CMS Know that Proposed Rule on ESRD Payment System Will Hurt Patients!

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its proposed rule on changes to the ESRD Payment System which will require Medicare to combine (or “bundle”) dialysis patient services and drugs into one payment. The American Kidney Fund is concerned about how this rule will impact dialysis patients. Read More

Get Your 2010 AKF Calendar Before It’s Too Late!

Need to get ready for the new year? Need to get a few holiday gift purchases out of the way? You can do both, while supporting kidney patients in need. Get Yours Today!

Spotlight On Health - Top 10 Substitution Tips

Low Phosphorus Choices

People with chronic kidney disease on dialysis need to stick to a special diet because their dietary needs require them to be careful about how much phosphorous they eat.  This can be hard, especially during the holiday season.  Below are some favorite alternatives:

*Talk to your renal dietitian before making any changes to your diet.  Also, be mindful of portion sizes.  Some low-phosphorus foods may be considered high-phosphorus in large amounts.