Our Mission: The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI), a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
Did you know that kidney disease affects more than 26 million Americans and 800,000 people in Illinois? Untreated diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes, and those two conditions are almost entirely preventable. What is even more alarming is the cost of kidney disease, not only to individuals and families, but to the government. More than 8% of the entire Medicare budget is dedicated to caring and treating people with kidney failure.
Since 1949, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) has been working all across Illinois to bring prevention and education to our communities. We are the leaders and innovators in prevention, organ donation awareness and professional education. Our programs are recognized nationally by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Diabetes Control Programs. But if you have never been touched by kidney disease or organ transplantation you would never know about the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. But our work has touched hundreds of thousands and millions who have high blood pressure and diabetes will surely be impacted by our efforts. These chronic diseases are becoming an epidemic and at some time, if you have not been touched already, you will be. And the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois will be there. The NKFI provides the following programs:
- FREE chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention and education through the KidneyMobile
- Education for dialysis patients, transplant recipients and their caregivers
- Telephone support for anyone with questions about CKD and its associated diseases and transplantation
- Organ donor awareness initiatives in Illinois high schools
- Continuing education for healthcare providers
For more information please contact the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
Ph. 312.321.1500 Email: kidney@nkfi.org.
www.nkfi.org  In November 2005, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) launched the nation's first KidneyMobile®, a custom motor coach offering free mobile education and screening services to Illinois communities. Because most cases of kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure can be prevented, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is committed to bringing early detection of diabetes and high blood pressure to high risk communities all across Illinois, and kidney disease, as well as raising greater awareness to the complications of these diseases.
Since then, the NKFI's KidneyMobile® has traveled across the entire state, providing free screenings to nearly 20,000 people. This was accomplished by collaborating with hospitals, dialysis centers, religious institutions, community organizations, and federally qualified health centers. On average, over 73% of participants test in an abnormal range for one or more tests. Even more alarming is that nearly 30% of participants need an immediate referral.
Statistics show that one in nine American adults has chronic kidney disease (CKD) and most are not even aware of it. Thus, the KidneyMobile®'s message of prevention and education are key to making a difference. At each of screening, staff and qualified volunteers will conduct blood pressure, body mass index, and glucose screenings and give immediate results to the participants. Participants at risk of CKD will receive additional information and a follow-up postcard to ensure they have visited a physician. In addition to addressing a real public health need, we view the unique KidneyMobile® as a "vehicle" to legislators for engaging their support for kidney disease and prevention awareness. Some of the elected officials that have attended area screenings include Senator Richard Durbin, Secretary of State Jesse White, Congressmen Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Danny Davis, and State Senators Donne Trotter and Don Harmon.
To request the KidneyMobile®, download a request form from www.kidneymobile.org and fax it to 312.321.1505. Whenever possible, try to give us a minimum of three months notice before the desired day.
www.kidneymobile.org |
