The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease.  Over 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.  One in three American adults is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).   Also, of the 123,000 Americans currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, more than 101,000 need a kidney.

The NKF has been in continuous action for decades increasing awareness of chronic kidney disease and supporting patients, caregivers, and medical professionals.  Historically, kidney disease was not regarded as a major public health problem.  Through the efforts of the NKF, today kidney disease is being effectively treated as a serious condition.

There are no early symptoms of kidney disease.  The only way to detect it is through testing.  Risk factors are diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of kidney failure, age 60 or older, African American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or Pacific Islander, and obesity (BMI of 30 or above).

Ben Millrany, a Board Member at the NKF Serving West TN, shared that the National Kidney Foundation hosts free kidney screenings to raise awareness which helps to identify if patients are at risk for CKD and to encourage those at risk to be in the care of a medical professional.   “Whether you go through an assessment at one of our screenings or if your physician tests you, if you have a family history of CKD, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you need to be screened for CKD.

With skyrocketing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and obesity worldwide, resulting in a corresponding increase in chronic kidney disease, the NKF’s work is more important than ever.  The organization’s priority is the people they care about——-those affected by CKD—and improving their lives.

To support the mission of the organization, the NKF holds events throughout the year to raise funds and increase awareness of chronic kidney disease and the need for organ donation.  The signature event for the NKF Serving West Tennessee is the Kidney Walk on June 1, 2019, at Rhodes College.  The Kidney Walk, which is held in nearly 100 communities, serves as an opportunity to educate while raising essential funds that go toward research, support for children who are on dialysis or who have received a transplant to attend summer dialysis camp, and patient/ professional services.

In addition to the Kidney Walk, the NKF Serving West Tennessee also hosts the NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic, an amateur golf event that will be at Ridgeway Country Club on August 26, 2019. It’s one of 30 events across the U.S. that provides the opportunity to qualify for the national finals at Pebble Beach in California.

For more information about these events, kidney disease, prevention, patient resources, and much more, please contact the National Kidney Foundation, 857 Mt. Moriah, Memphis, TN  38117, phone 683-6185 or www.nkfwtn.org or www.kidney.org.