Everywhere we go, we meet people living with kidney disease and their caregivers who inspire us with their courage and generosity of spirit. Next week, we will honor four such individuals at our annual gala, The Hope Affair. The theme of this year’s event is “Lighting the Way,” and this year’s honorees truly are shining lights in their communities:
NeShell Monroe of Houston, a dialysis patient for more than 30 years and a longtime community advocate for kidney disease awareness, will receive the Hero of Hope award
Joseph A. Chazan, M.D., and Lucille M. Pono, RN, CNN, of Providence, R.I., who have worked together for four decades to provide care to dialysis patients, will receive Caregiver of the Year awards
Jonathan Rivera Gómez, 16, a dialysis patient from Puerto Rico, will be honored for his winning entry in AKF’s annual nationwide art contest for children with kidney disease
We are in the midst of our most active season of outreach to communities at increased risk of kidney disease. This year, thanks to the support of generous sponsors, we have been able to expand our schedule of Kidney Action Days to seven cities, with Atlanta coming up on Nov. 4 and Houston on Nov. 17. If you're in those regions, I hope you'll consider joining us and helping us spread the word.
If you have chronic kidney disease, watching what you eat and drink will help you stay healthier. Learn what makes a kidney-healthy meal plan different, with practical information on what foods to eat, what to avoid, and why—along with links to online recipes and information on kidney-friendly cookbooks.
The 2014 American Kidney Fund calendar is here! The calendar features artwork by children with kidney disease. Their beautiful drawings will inspire you each month. The cover art—selected through online voting during Kidney Month in March—was created by 16-year-old Jonathan Rivera Gómez from Puerto Rico. He is working hard to stay healthy so that he can get a transplant soon. AKF calendars make great gifts; purchase one for each person on your gift list. The Calendar Kids Program is supported by an educational grant provided by Amgen.
AKF’s annual gala, The Hope Affair, takes place Oct. 29 at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The Hope Affair brings together the renal community in a celebration of the people who inspire us in the fight against kidney disease. This year’s honorees—a pediatric kidney patient from Puerto Rico, a dedicated advocate from Houston and a nephrologist-nurse team from Rhode Island—exemplify the theme of this year’s event: “Lighting the Way.”
AKF is bringing Kidney Action Day to downtown Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 4. We’ve Paired Up with the American Society of Nephrology and the Georgia Department of Public Health and will provide free kidney health screenings, healthy cooking demos and fun fitness demos. This event, held at Underground Atlanta (Upper Alabama Street), is free and open to the public.
Walking is not only great for your health, it’s also a great way to show your support for kidney patients and the American Kidney Fund! Registration is open for the Nov. 17 Kidney Action Day Walk in Houston at Discovery Green. The walk is part of Kidney Action Day, a free, fun-filled, family-friendly event that focuses on healthy living and kidney health. We hope to see you there!
Measure Up/Pressure Down is a three-year national campaign developed by the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF) to reduce the burden of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the #2 cause of kidney failure, causing 25 percent of all cases, so AKF has Paired Up with AMGF to support its campaign by providing educational materials on the link between high blood pressure and kidney disease, and collaborating on joint education initiatives.
Hundreds of San Antonians joined us at the AT&T Center for Kidney Action Day on Oct. 6 for free kidney health screenings, delicious healthy food, fun energetic exercise and the Kidney Action Day Walk. San Antonio Spurs mascot Coyote joined the fun, and even former Spurs star Sean Elliott—who has kidney disease—showed his support.
Upcoming Kidney Health Screenings
Nov. 1, 2013 9:00am – 2:00pm 12th Ward Little Village Health Fair 2950 W. 25th St. | Chicago, IL 60623 Tests available: Full blood draw kidney function – first 75 people
Nov. 2, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Operation Warmth – Must be CHA resident and have letter Chicago Housing Authority 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. | Chicago, IL 60607 Tests available: Full blood draw kidney function – first 75 people
Nov. 4, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Kidney Action Day | Atlanta Underground Atlanta Upper Alabama St. near Peachtree St. | Atlanta, GA 30303 Tests available: Blood pressure, blood glucose, kidney function and other health screenings
Nov. 10, 2013 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m. Telemundo’s La Feria de la Familia D.C. Armory 2001 East Capitol St S.E. | Washington, DC 20003 Tests available: Blood pressure and finger stick kidney function
Nov. 17, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Kidney Action Day | Houston Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010 Tests available: Blood pressure, blood glucose, kidney function and other health screenings
