Kick Up Your Heels for Kidneys
By Danielle Bullen
Fashion Editor, MavenMag
26 million. That’s how many Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease. Surprised? Most people are, as “kidney disease is an under-the-radar disease,” says Kimberly Hamm, Community Events Manager of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. However, the foundation is intent on changing this perception. Through community outreach and support programs, the foundation is dedicated to increasing knowledge and awareness about kidney disease and its risk factors while also supporting those affected by it.
Chronic kidney disease is an umbrella term for any condition that damages your kidneys and affects the normal function of the kidneys.
Your kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering waste from your body, regulating blood pressure, controlling red blood cell production, and producing Vitamin D. No wonder it’s so important that they do their job well! They help your body maintain healthy levels of salt and potassium, and too much or too little can throw your system into distress. The two main causes of this are diabetes and high blood pressure; however other factors, both hereditary and adopted, can also play a role. And, it can happen to anyone, Kimberly emphasizes, so it’s important to be educated about what it is, and how to help prevent it. To learn more about the kidneys and chronic kidney disease, see the National Kidney Foundation’s Web Site’s section on Kidney Disease.
Fortunately, kidney disease can be treated in many cases. The two main methods are dialysis, where machines do the work of healthy kidneys, and transplants. And the National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to providing support to both.
The Emergency Financial Assistance program provides support to dialysis patients who are suffering financially due to the high costs of care. On average, health insurance covers just 80% of dialysis costs, so the finance program, which is supported through donations, gives people money for necessities like utilities and groceries while undergoing this treatment. It also administers a state-run program that subsidizes transportation to and from dialysis for patients who can’t get there on their own.
Transplant education programs: Since patients must be on dialysis their whole lives, the foundation also works to raise awareness of transplants as a treatment. The foundation, says Kimberly, “works to spread word about [the importance of] donating all organs.” Representatives visit middle schools and explain organ donation, answer questions and give kids, “the tools to make the decision” to be organ donors, she explains. Sadly, there are 10,000 people currently on the waiting list for a kidney in the U.S., and Kimberly encourages everyone to save a life by becoming an organ donor, either living or non-living. Becoming a non-living donor is as easy as checking a box the next time you renew your driver’s license. To learn more about being a living organ donor, visit the United Network for Organ Sharing.
KEEP: In addition to financial assistance and spreading awareness of organ donation, the foundation also runs KEEP, the Kidney Early Evaluation Program. KEEP is the Foundations biggest program and consists of volunteers who go into neighborhoods and screen people for risk factors. Philadelphians, in particular, have a 1 in 6 rate of chronic kidney disease, higher than the 1 in 9 national average, which makes this project even more crucial. KEEP also provides an opportunity for nursing and medical students to practice their patient skills and to give back.
Even if you’re not in the medical profession, you can still help the foundation. Volunteers are always needed for administrative tasks at their office in Center City. In addition, the foundation has several major events every year and volunteers play key roles in pre-event planning and fundraising, day-of set up, clean-up and guest services. Events are the foundation’s primary way to raise the money needed to run their initiatives, and every year, there are five regional kidney walks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This year, the Philadelphia walk is scheduled for October 4. Visit Kidney Walks for location, registration and information on walks in other cities.
One upcoming fundraiser for the foundation is High Heels for Kidneys, at Liberty Place I on April 29. Now in its third year, High Heels for Kidneys is a networking and private shopping event. Many of the stores in Liberty Place will be open after-hours exclusively for attendees, and representatives from other stores will sell their goods as well. California Pizza Kitchen and the Capital Grille will provide food, making it a great event for your stomach and your style. This year, the event will honor Mary Fox Donnelly, as 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of her kidney transplant. At age 27, with no family history and otherwise healthy lifestyle, Mary was diagnosed with kidney disease. She was the recipient of a living kidney donation from her sister (who will also be honored) and is now the successful CEO of Fox Specialties. Mary’s story proves the importance of both organ donation and monitoring your health for potential signs of the disease.
Another way you can shop and save lives is through the National Kidney Foundation’s partnership with Jewelry for Life. Started by Nancy Hercer after her diagnosis with kidney disease, Jewelry for Life creates bracelets and necklaces featuring charms with inspirational messages, like hope, love, promise, faith, health, and family. Other jewelry styles are sold on their web site, so you can find something to suit your taste. A percentage of the profits from the event goes to the foundation, keeping their message of hope alive.
Whether it’s through health screenings, school visits, social events or helping patients with bills, the National Kidney Foundation’s purpose can’t be carried out without donors and volunteers. So, kick up your own heels for your kidneys by monitoring your risk factors, giving a little time or donating money to this under-the-radar, yet very deserving cause.
Click here to donate to the kidney foundation.
Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Fashion Editor, MavenMag
26 million. That’s how many Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease. Surprised? Most people are, as “kidney disease is an under-the-radar disease,” says Kimberly Hamm, Community Events Manager of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. However, the foundation is intent on changing this perception. Through community outreach and support programs, the foundation is dedicated to increasing knowledge and awareness about kidney disease and its risk factors while also supporting those affected by it.
Chronic kidney disease is an umbrella term for any condition that damages your kidneys and affects the normal function of the kidneys.
Your kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering waste from your body, regulating blood pressure, controlling red blood cell production, and producing Vitamin D. No wonder it’s so important that they do their job well! They help your body maintain healthy levels of salt and potassium, and too much or too little can throw your system into distress. The two main causes of this are diabetes and high blood pressure; however other factors, both hereditary and adopted, can also play a role. And, it can happen to anyone, Kimberly emphasizes, so it’s important to be educated about what it is, and how to help prevent it. To learn more about the kidneys and chronic kidney disease, see the National Kidney Foundation’s Web Site’s section on Kidney Disease.Fortunately, kidney disease can be treated in many cases. The two main methods are dialysis, where machines do the work of healthy kidneys, and transplants. And the National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to providing support to both.
The Emergency Financial Assistance program provides support to dialysis patients who are suffering financially due to the high costs of care. On average, health insurance covers just 80% of dialysis costs, so the finance program, which is supported through donations, gives people money for necessities like utilities and groceries while undergoing this treatment. It also administers a state-run program that subsidizes transportation to and from dialysis for patients who can’t get there on their own.
Transplant education programs: Since patients must be on dialysis their whole lives, the foundation also works to raise awareness of transplants as a treatment. The foundation, says Kimberly, “works to spread word about [the importance of] donating all organs.” Representatives visit middle schools and explain organ donation, answer questions and give kids, “the tools to make the decision” to be organ donors, she explains. Sadly, there are 10,000 people currently on the waiting list for a kidney in the U.S., and Kimberly encourages everyone to save a life by becoming an organ donor, either living or non-living. Becoming a non-living donor is as easy as checking a box the next time you renew your driver’s license. To learn more about being a living organ donor, visit the United Network for Organ Sharing.
KEEP: In addition to financial assistance and spreading awareness of organ donation, the foundation also runs KEEP, the Kidney Early Evaluation Program. KEEP is the Foundations biggest program and consists of volunteers who go into neighborhoods and screen people for risk factors. Philadelphians, in particular, have a 1 in 6 rate of chronic kidney disease, higher than the 1 in 9 national average, which makes this project even more crucial. KEEP also provides an opportunity for nursing and medical students to practice their patient skills and to give back.
Even if you’re not in the medical profession, you can still help the foundation. Volunteers are always needed for administrative tasks at their office in Center City. In addition, the foundation has several major events every year and volunteers play key roles in pre-event planning and fundraising, day-of set up, clean-up and guest services. Events are the foundation’s primary way to raise the money needed to run their initiatives, and every year, there are five regional kidney walks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This year, the Philadelphia walk is scheduled for October 4. Visit Kidney Walks for location, registration and information on walks in other cities.
One upcoming fundraiser for the foundation is High Heels for Kidneys, at Liberty Place I on April 29. Now in its third year, High Heels for Kidneys is a networking and private shopping event. Many of the stores in Liberty Place will be open after-hours exclusively for attendees, and representatives from other stores will sell their goods as well. California Pizza Kitchen and the Capital Grille will provide food, making it a great event for your stomach and your style. This year, the event will honor Mary Fox Donnelly, as 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of her kidney transplant. At age 27, with no family history and otherwise healthy lifestyle, Mary was diagnosed with kidney disease. She was the recipient of a living kidney donation from her sister (who will also be honored) and is now the successful CEO of Fox Specialties. Mary’s story proves the importance of both organ donation and monitoring your health for potential signs of the disease.
Another way you can shop and save lives is through the National Kidney Foundation’s partnership with Jewelry for Life. Started by Nancy Hercer after her diagnosis with kidney disease, Jewelry for Life creates bracelets and necklaces featuring charms with inspirational messages, like hope, love, promise, faith, health, and family. Other jewelry styles are sold on their web site, so you can find something to suit your taste. A percentage of the profits from the event goes to the foundation, keeping their message of hope alive.
Whether it’s through health screenings, school visits, social events or helping patients with bills, the National Kidney Foundation’s purpose can’t be carried out without donors and volunteers. So, kick up your own heels for your kidneys by monitoring your risk factors, giving a little time or donating money to this under-the-radar, yet very deserving cause.
Click here to donate to the kidney foundation.
Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities.
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