Almost 150 advocates from different kidney organizations will convene with U.S. legislators in Washington D.C. for the 4th Annual Kidney Patient Summit with the theme "My Kidneys, My Life."
The National Kidney Foundation, the United States' largest, longest-standing, and most far-ranging organization dedicated to kidney disease awareness, prevention, and treatment, will highlight the direct impact of possessing only one healthy kidney on one's overall health.
The summit will be held on Capitol Hill from March 6 to 7 and will be attended by advocates from six kidney organizations across America: the Alport Syndrome Foundation; Home Dialyzors United; Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation; American Association of Kidney Patients; and NephCure Kidney International, comprised of patients with kidney disease or under dialysis, and donors, caregivers, and family members.
Factors Developing Chronic Kidney Diseases
According to the NKF, 90 percent of more than 26 million adults in America are unaware they have kidney disease.
Earlier studies about chronic kidney diseases have shown different factors that could trigger the illness, such as consuming meat with a high acidic content and taking drugs for heartburn and acid reflux.
People who experience constipation, diabetes, abdominal obesity, and high blood pressure, or have genetically inherited kidney disease, could be likely candidates of the ailment in the long run.
More dangerously, when a person who has the propensity to develop chronic kidney disease continually eats high sodium food, the habit amplifies the risk of the person to also develop heart disease.
Advocates Raise Awareness At Kidney Patient Summit
For the upcoming summit, the NKF has chosen delegates who will speak out on behalf of patients from all 50 states and impart their personal stories. Lawmakers will be asked to support programs for the early discovery, treatment, and outcome of chronic kidney disease.
Organ donors and kidney recipients will encourage donations to provide hope to more than 100,000 Americans presently in need of a kidney transplant.
"Coming together for the Kidney Patient Summit is personal for me and the many people traveling from throughout the country who seek to be heard and affect real change for those suffering from kidney disease," said by Kevin Longino, CEO of the foundation.
Alex Fox, one of the chosen speakers for the summit and Idaho's Special Olympics chairman of the board, helped a mother pleading on Facebook post: he donated one of his kidneys to the patient in May 2016.
"Helping a complete stranger is pretty awesome. There are so many people out there that need a donor," Fox said.
The event aims to gain support for bill enactments, such as The Living Donor Protection Act 2017 and Family Medical Leave Act, and also obtain funds for CKD programs under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
"'My Kidneys, My Life' is not just a slogan. It's a mantra based on facts and a plea for more public awareness," Longino said.
