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Media Contact:
Tenee Hawkins
Director of Communications
404.658.1423
thawkins@kidneyfund.org
For Immediate Release
American Kidney Fund Pairs Up with Houstonians to Fight Kidney Disease
Free event with health screenings to educate those at risk on prevention, lifestyle choices
HOUSTON (October 11, 2011) –The American Kidney Fund will host Kidney Action Day featuring the Steps That Count walkathon on Sunday, October 16, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Discovery Green in downtown Houston.
The event, free and open to the public, will kick off at 10 a.m. with a walkathon around Discovery Green, raising funds for programs and services to help fight kidney disease. Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m., walkers—as well as all interested members of the public—are invited to participate in the finish-line event, Kidney Action Day. Kidney Action Day features free health screenings, healthy food samples, cooking and exercise demonstrations, and other family-friendly activities to increase awareness of kidney disease. The free health screenings will check for indicators of kidney and heart health, diabetes, and other important health measures.
The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to patients in need, education and prevention efforts. Last month, the organization launched Pair Up, a national prevention campaign empowering women to fight kidney disease.
In 2010, the American Kidney Fund provided more than $5.3 million in treatment-related financial assistance to dialysis patients in Houston and provided free health screenings to more than 200 Houston residents at Kidney Action Day. This year, participants will receive instant test results for finger stick glucose, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, weight and height.
“Pairing up with communities across the nation to raise awareness of kidney disease and its leading causes—diabetes and high blood pressure—is a critical part of the mission of the American Kidney Fund,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “Last year, our outreach efforts reached more than one million Houston residents, and we only hope to grow that number as Houstonians Pair Up to bring a friend or loved one to Kidney Action Day.”
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the nation’s ninth leading cause of death, and it is estimated that as many as 31 million people in the U.S. are living with the disease. Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, followed by high blood pressure. Together, these conditions account for nearly three quarters of all cases of kidney failure. CKD most often develops slowly over many years, and most who are affected have no symptoms; therefore, they don’t get tested. However, if tested and detected early, chronic kidney disease can be slowed or even stopped.
The American Kidney Fund has made it a priority to extend its mission of fighting kidney disease by locally promoting the importance of early screening, education and prevention methods.
“It is really exciting to see the American Kidney Fund coming to Houston to provide education about kidney disease. Many people aren't aware they have this until very late in the disease course. Education is the beginning of finding this disease in an early stage when there are more treatment options,” said Jennifer Finch, M.D., Renal Specialists of Houston, P.A.
This year’s event is sponsored by Amgen Inc., American Renal Associates, Sanofi and U.S. Renal Care. For more information, visit www.kidneyfund.org.
About the American Kidney Fund
The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts. The American Kidney Fund leads the nation in providing charitable assistance to dialysis patients who need help with the costs associated with treating kidney failure. Last year, 101,000 people—1 out of every 4 dialysis patients in the United States—received assistance from the American Kidney Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses. Millions of people nationwide benefit annually from the American Kidney Fund’s efforts to fight kidney disease through public awareness campaigns, free health screenings, health education materials and courses, online outreach, and toll-free health information HelpLine (866-300-2900).
As a nine-time recipient of the top “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator, the American Kidney Fund is ranked among the top 1 percent of charities nationwide for fiscal accountability. In addition, the American Kidney Fund holds an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy; adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit www.kidneyfund.org.
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