How You Can Help
Why We Need Your Help
An estimated 26 million adults in the United States now have chronic kidney disease (“CKD”), but most are unaware of it, undercutting efforts to prevent irreversible kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant.
This alarming number, reported in the November 2007 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, increases the most recent estimates of the prevalence of CKD to over 13% of American adults. The study’s authors note that increases in diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the aging U.S. population explain at least some of the increase.
Chronic kidney disease is often silent until the late stages when it can be too late to head off kidney failure. However, evidence indicates that if CKD is detected early, action may be taken to delay or prevent kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness in the general public, and to some extent in the medical community, about the prevalence of CKD.
The Kidney TRUST is hoping to change this mindset by raising public awareness of CKD through community outreach and education. There is a growing recognition in the kidney disease community that widespread testing could have a profound impact on the progression of CKD in the population. The Kidney TRUST’s new rapid-testing program is one of a growing number of initiatives that are focused on raising awareness about CKD in the general population and providing opportunities for testing to the general public.
Join one of the 20 DaVita KAT Walks Across America that are taking place across the country in 2008 to benefit The Kidney TRUST and educate Americans about CKD and how to fight it. Many KAT Walks have on-site screening for CKD.
Every dollar counts in the fight against kidney disease. When you register for a walk, you’ll get a fundraising page you can email to friends and family. To register for a KAT Walk near you go to www.davitakatwalks.com
Get Moving
