For many of us, summer is a wonderful time of family vacations and family reunions. If you are spending time with your family this summer, remember that families share more than obvious genetic traits like eye color and height; they also share risk factors for kidney disease. Family gatherings provide a great opportunity to have a conversation about your family health history. By talking about kidney disease and its risk factors with your family, you may be able to help the people you care about most prevent this very serious disease.
Many families attended our Kidney Action Day events in Washington, D.C., and Augusta, Ga., in June. Our Kidney Action Days are family-friendly events, and it’s our hope that even young children begin to get the message that many cases of kidney disease can be prevented. We are able to provide this important community outreach thanks in large part to the financial support of individuals like you who care about our mission. This fall, we’ll host Kidney Action Days in San Antonio, Houston and Atlanta. If you’re in those regions, I hope you’ll consider joining us. Together, we can make a difference!
Dad’s eyes, Mom’s hair and Uncle John’s musical talent may not be all you inherited from your family. Did you know your family health history is an important indication of your risk for kidney disease? Learn more and find helpful resources to help you have this important conversation with your loved ones.
The American Kidney Fund salutes those who care for dialysis and transplant patients, and we are now accepting nominations for the 2013 Caregiver of the Year. Do you know a special caregiver who goes above and beyond? Nominate him or her for our 2013 Caregiver of the Year award, which we’ll present at our gala, The Hope Affair, on Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C.
Have you taken our website survey yet? We are asking friends of the American Kidney Fund to help us improve our website by taking a brief, anonymous survey. Please take a few moments to tell us what you like and what you think we can improve, so that our website can continue being a valuable source of information in the fight against kidney disease.
The American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA), the professional organization for registered nurses who specialize in the care of patients experiencing the real or threatened impact of renal dysfunction, has been a partner of AKF for several years. AKF and ANNA work together on professional education initiatives to educate nephrology nurses and other renal professionals—most recently a course on Medicare education benefits—and efforts to raise awareness of the risks of kidney disease.
Congresswoman Donna Edwards joined state and county officials at the American Kidney Fund’s metro Washington, D.C., Kidney Action Day on June 22 to encourage attendees to get a free kidney health screening and make lifestyle changes to help prevent kidney disease. Hundreds also participated in the first Kidney Action Day Walk of 2013.
The City of Augusta, Ga., proclaimed June 29 to be Kidney Action Day as AKF brought the fight against kidney disease to the state’s capital. Hundreds of people attended, receiving free health screenings and learning about the links between diabetes and high blood pressure and kidney disease. Interactive fitness and healthy food demos rounded out the successful event.
The signature fundraiser in AKF’s Northeast Region, the 7th Annual New York Spring Event, took place June 5. The event honored Nephrologist of the Year Dr. Steven N. Fishbane and Humanitarian of the Year John J. Raggio, both affiliated with the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
Upcoming Kidney Health Screenings
August 10, 2013 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mokena Farmers Market Health Fair 11120 Front St. | Mokena, IL 60448 Tests available: Fingerstick glucose and blood pressure
August 17, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 12th Ward Immunization Day Health Screening 2210 W. Pershing Rd. | Chicago, IL 60609 Tests available: Fingerstick glucose and blood pressure
August 17, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Congressman David Scott - 8th Annual 13th Congressional District Health Fair Mundy’s Mill High School 9652 Fayetteville Rd., Jonesboro, GA 30238 Tests available: Instant kidney function
August 17, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Shiloh Wellness Festival 1500 9th St. NW | Washington, DC 20001 Tests available: Fingerstick glucose and blood pressure
