American Kidney Fund Hosts Atlanta Community Leaders to Raise Awareness of Kidney Disease

2/27/2003

From: Sandra Palmer of the American Kidney Fund, 301-984-6657

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 27 -- March is National Kidney month, and the American Kidney Fund (AKF) will host a breakfast for Atlanta community leaders to raise awareness of kidney disease among their constituents. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is scheduled to attend the breakfast to be held Tuesday, March 4 at 8:00 a.m. at Providence Missionary Baptist Church (2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive).

Kidney disease is among the ten most lethal diseases in the United States and has an enormous impact on the African American population. One of every three people with kidney failure in the U.S. is African American. This year, 100,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney failure, for which there is no cure. The only treatments are kidney dialysis and kidney transplantation.

AKF Executive Director Karen Sendelback said, "The American Kidney Fund wants to get people involved in the fight against chronic kidney disease. It's important for people to know that they are vulnerable to this devastating illness, but at the same time, they are not helpless to prevent it or slow its progression. By enlisting help from Atlanta's community and business leaders, AKF's message will carry more weight."

Atlanta's business community will be in attendance with representatives from Verizon, Home Depot, Georgia Power, AGL, and others. Each attendee will receive a "starter package" consisting of educational brochures, brochure display stands, posters, and a list of community resources. To obtain attendees' commitments to educating others about kidney disease, a personal pledge card will be included in the package.

------ The American Kidney Fund is the leading national voluntary health organization providing direct financial assistance for the benefit of kidney patients supported by comprehensive educational programs, clinical research and community service projects.