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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 San Antonians to Fight Kidney Disease
Free event with health screenings to educate those at risk on prevention, lifestyle choices
SAN ANTONIO (Sep. 28, 2011) –The American Kidney Fund will host Kidney Action Day featuring the Steps That Count walkathon in San Antonio on Saturday, October 1, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the AT&T Center.
The event, free and open to the public, will kick off at 8 a.m. with a walkathon around the AT&T Center complex, raising funds for programs and services to help patients impacted by kidney disease. Beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until 2 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. Earlier this 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 $2.6 million in treatment-related financial assistance to dialysis patients in San Antonio and provided free health screenings to close to 300 San Antonio residents at Kidney Action Day. This year, participants will receive instant test results for finger stick glucose, blood pressure, 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; especially in communities like San Antonio where the number of people living with kidney disease is two times higher than the national average,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “Last year, our outreach efforts reached more than one million San Antonio residents, and we only hope to grow that number as San Antonians 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 can develop slowly or quickly, 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.
“Getting tested is the first step in the fight against kidney disease. I learned about my condition after blacking out while on a ladder, a result of having high blood pressure,” AKF advocate and kidney disease patient Mike Rollins said. “I wish I had been proactive and gotten tested a long time ago. I turned out to be one of the lucky ones because my daughter graciously donated her kidney so I could have a chance to live, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. I want others to be aware of the importance of routine health checkups as a means of prevention.”
AKF 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.
“I applaud AKF for coming to San Antonio with this event, especially in an area of the city where more people are affected by kidney failure,” said Tahira Palmer Alves, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine in the division of nephrology at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine. “In general, Hispanics and African Americans are 1.5 times and 4.5 times more likely, respectively, to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) compared to non-Hispanic whites. Recent demographic indicators and projections show that community-based solutions may serve as a valuable model for understanding and alleviating health disparities in CKD at the national level as the United States undergoes major demographic changes.”
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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