April is Donate Life Month. Today, 90,000 kidney patients are on the waiting list for donated organs; the vast majority rely on dialysis to keep them alive. Some, like Barbara Asofsky, who is featured on our website, are fortunate to find a compatible kidney quickly. Barbara’s husband was a willing donor whose kidney was not a match; Barbara was able to receive a kidney from a stranger through a paired donation that changed four lives, and four families, forever.
Not every story has such a happy ending, and tens of thousands of dialysis patients depend on assistance from the American Kidney Fund. In 2011, the American Kidney Fund provided financial support to nearly 90,000 people—almost 1 out of every 4 dialysis patients in the United States—for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses.
While that vital work continues, we are also hard at work in communities to identify people who are at risk and educate them about how to prevent kidney disease or slow its progression. Members of our Health Initiatives team are traveling around the country to provide free kidney health screenings at community centers, conferences and exhibitions, and places of worship. I encourage you to learn more about what AKF is doing on our website or our Facebook page.
To your health,
LaVarne A. Burton President and CEO
Spotlight on Health: Paired Kidney Donations
When Barbara Asofsky needed a kidney, her husband offered his. Unfortunately, it was not a match. But a paired donation made it possible for Barbara to receive a matching kidney in a four-way operation.
Join AKF in Chicago May 12 for Kidney Action Day
The American Kidney Fund will hold its first Kidney Action Day of 2012 in the Windy City on May 12! Join us for free kidney health screenings, cooking demonstrations, Ask-The-Doctor/Nurse sessions, entertainment and children’s activities. The event is FREE and open to the public. Bring the whole family!
Six-Year-Old’s Art to Appear on Cover of 2013 AKF Calendar
Nearly 6,000 people voted to select the cover art for the American Kidney Fund’s 2013 calendar from among the 13 talented winners of this year’s Calendar Kids Art Contest. The artwork that received the most votes was “All Things Are Possible” by Amelia Rowniewski of Wallington, N.J. Thanks to all who voted!
Join AKF’s Advocacy Network and Advocate for Kidney Patients
The American Kidney Fund advocates for policies that improve the lives of millions of Americans and their families who are living with, or are at risk of developing, kidney disease. You can become a partner in this important effort by joining our Advocacy Network.
Upcoming AKF Screenings
MAY
Saturday, May 5, 2012 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Alfred Street Baptist Church 301 South Alfred Street Alexandria, VA 22318 (map) Test available: Blood Pressure Contact: T'Kia Stewart | 301.984.6656
Saturday, May 12, 2012 Kidney Action Day 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Trinity United Church of Christ 400 W. 95th St. | Chicago, IL 60628(map) Tests available: blood draw, blood pressure, urine test Contact: Gatanya Arnic | 312.750.1638
Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:00 am – 2:00 pm “Behind the Scenes I Am Still a Woman” Health & Wellness Conference Holiday Inn, Perimeter Atlanta 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30341 (map) Tests available: Instant kidney function Contact: Noni Walker | 404.658.1422
JUNE
Saturday, June 2, 2012 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Ben Hill UME Health Fair Ben Hill UM Church 2099 Fairburn Rd. | Atlanta, GA 30331(map) Tests available: Instant glucose, instant kidney function Contact: Noni Walker | 404.658.1422
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 10:00 am – 2:00 pm HDR Health and Wellness Fair HDR, Inc. 1100 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 400 | Atlanta, GA 30309 (map) Tests available: Blood pressure, instant glucose, instant kidney function Contact: Noni Walker | 404.658.1422
