Help the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program provide screenings in our community!

Kidney diseases are “silent killers” that can largely affect one’s quality of life. Kidney diseases are also increasingly recognized as a public health concern because chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are very costly to treat. Nearly 25% of the Medicare budget is used to treat people with CKD and ESRD. Raising kidney awareness can help detect CKD early on and thus prevent complications of decreased kidney function, slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce the risk of other associated diseases. Kidney disease awareness and education can also help prevent the onset of kidney diseases by providing people with knowledge about kidney health.

KDSAP is a national organization which aims to provide free screenings and information about chronic kidney disease to our communities. Our team has established a branch of this organization at UT Dallas, and we have already partnered with the Dallas branch of the National Kidney Foundation, as well as physicians from UTSW and the Dallas Nephrology Association like Dr. Torres-Rodriguez and Dr. Knopf, to attend community health fairs and volunteer at their screenings. As the NKF is planning to phase out the physical screening portion of their program, they have expressed interest in having us step in a provide this crucial service to members of our community.

We have identified multiple community partners who are interested in having us host screenings at local churches, health fairs and apartment complexes. Each overall health screening is composed of eight screening stations: registration, form filling, body index, blood sugar, urinalysis, blood pressure, MD consultation and exit survey. These stations aim to provide basic health data to members of the community and allow them to speak directly with a nephrologist about any concerns they might have.

Early screenings for chronic kidney disease risk factors may drive people to take action before the disease progresses, when it is still in a manageable state. Our program not only brings these crucial screenings to communities which may not regularly consider kidney disease or may not have access to regular health services, allowing people to speak face-to-face with nephrologists about their concerns and symptoms. In order to provide the best care we can to those around us, we need to maintain an up-to-standard medical equipment supply, standardized by the KDSAP national organization. Reaching our fundraising goal would allow us to carry out these important screenings and make sure we have everything we need to serve all those who come to them. Any additional funds we gather would go towards materials for health awareness events, student training and support and further community outreach so we can reach more people. Thank you all for your support!

For more information about our organization, please visit www.kdsap.org.