The mission of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, chartered in
1965, is to serve Mississippi kidney patients by providing
quality programs and services, to provide public education and
screening to promote the prevention of kidney disease, and to
promote organ donation throughout the state.
Education: Sharing the Latest Information
REAP (Renal Evaluation & Assessment Program)
This is a free screening program designed to identify individuals at
increased risk for kidney disease. You are considered at risk if you have high
blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of
kidney disease. Partnering with Quest Diagnostics, tests
include a full renal panel, complete blood count
and cholesterol check. Additional tests include
blood pressure, blood sugar and urinalysis For
the date of the next REAP screening, call the MS
Kidney Foundation at 601.981.3611.
Screening
volunteers, from left, Erika Payne, Ella Jackson, Dr. Ami Patel, Gloria
Thompson, Brenda Hobson, and Brenda Dyson, pictured with Floyd Womack (a.k.a.
"Pork Chop"), who plays football for the Seattle Seahawks.
Kidney Disease: The "Silent" Disease...Are You
at Risk?
The Mississippi Kidney
Foundation has printed 80,000 brochures designed
to target those at risk of kidney disease. These
brochures have been sent to over 80 nurse
practitioners and medical clinics across the
state. If you would like to order some of these
free brochures, please call the MS Kidney
Foundation at (601) 981-3611. Grants were
received from Centocor Ortho Biotech and Genzyme
to assist with the cost of the printing.
Organ Donor Awareness
Give the gift of life! Your next of kin has the final say, so please discuss your wishes with your family.
It is estimated that 35% of potential donors never became organ donors because
their family members refused to consent. Mississippi now has an organ donor
registry. Register to be an organ donor at www.donatelife.org.
Patient Conferences
This conference designed for kidney dialysis patients, kidney
transplant patients, as well as kidney patient family
members/caregivers.
Why should
you attend?
To be
empowered by the knowledge you will acquire
To
broaden your network of peer support by meeting others
To
receive answers to important questions about your care
To be
motivated and inspired
Make plans
to attend one of the three Annual Patient Meetings:
Sunday, April 22,
2012, at the Lighthouse Park and Visitors Center in Biloxi
Sunday, August 19,
2012, at MORA in Jackson
Sunday, November 4,
2012, at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo
In Partnership with:
American Regent, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech,
Genzyme, Network 8, Novartis and Pfizer.
Professional
Symposiums
The Mississippi Kidney
Foundation partners with Network 8 and UMC to assist
with professional symposiums designed to equip
healthcare providers with the tools to be educators for
patients and other team members in the renal community.
Kidney Connection Quilt
A friend or family member can send in a quilt square in honor or in memory of
a kidney patient or donor.
Patient Services: Improving the Quality of Life
Patient Emergency Fund
Funds raised by dialysis units for the Kidney Walk are held for patient
emergencies, including assistance with medications, utilities, transportation, etc.
Transplant Emergency Fund
Working with the
Transplantation Program at UMC, this fund
provides assistance for transplant patients who
have emergency needs such as transportation
assistance for follow-up clinics or other needs
associated with the health and well-being of
these transplanted patients.
"Investing in Your
Future" Program
Effective April 1, 2010,
the Mississippi Kidney Foundation implemented a pilot
program designed to encourage Mississippi dialysis
patients or kidney transplant patients to obtain their
GED. We are looking for those patients who are willing
and committed to "invest in their future." Not only will
the patient feel a sense of pride, but obtaining their
GED could open doors leading to college and work
opportunities. The Mississippi Kidney Foundation will
pay the $40 GED test fee. Once the patient passes the
GED, the MKF will give the patient an incentive award of
$250. For more information, contact your social worker
or call the MKF at 1-800-232-1592.
Congratulations to Preston Butts, a 28 year old dialysis
patient in Hattiesburg, who obtained his GED!
Preston is our first
"Investing in Your Future" participant. His advice to
other GED candidates..."Go to the FREE GED
classes! It really helps."
Southern Comforts of
Mississippi Cookbook
This newly designed cookbook,
now in its third printing, is for kidney patients and their families. It is
provided free to Mississippi residents; out-of-town residents may purchase the
cookbook for $10. Please see your dietitian for your free cookbook.
Nutritional Supplement Program
In an effort to address some
nutritional needs of end stage renal disease patients, the MS Kidney Foundation
provides a nutritional supplement to dialysis units across the state. LiquaCel,
a concentrated liquid, is given to patients with dangerously low albumin levels
and is administered during their dialysis treatments.
Pediatric Nephrology Holiday Party
The MS Kidney
Foundation sponsors an annual Holiday Party
for pediatric nephrology patients at UMC. Family
members are invited to attend, along with their
children who are pre-CKD, on dialysis, or
transplanted. Gifts and food provide a nice
break for these patients during the holiday
season.
Public Policy Advocacy
The Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Task Force, which was authorized by Senate
Bill 2882 during the 2006 session of the Mississippi Legislature, allows the
Mississippi Kidney Foundation to continue to take an active role in public
policy advocacy. Through professional symposiums and educational materials for
primary care physicians, the Mississippi Kidney Foundation is committed to early
diagnosis and effective treatment of CKD.
Professional Advisory Board
This group, consisting of renal social workers, nurses,
dietitians and nurse practitioners, helps
to plan and implement programs and patient services of the MKF.
The Kidney Connection Patient Newsletter
Published twice a year, this newsletter features human interest stories about
kidney patients and highlights programs and services provided by the MS Kidney
Foundation. To request that your name by added to our newsletter list, please
call the MS Kidney Foundation at 1-800-232-1592.
Patient Calendar
Distributed every October, the "Kidney Connection Calendar" features
kidney-friendly recipes, nutritional tips and other bits of wisdom for kidney
patients. To request a free 2012 Kidney Connection Calendar, please call the
MS Kidney Foundation at 1-800-232-1592.
Medic Identification Jewelry
Medical Alert bracelets or necklaces are available for kidney patients at the
reduced rate of $4. Ask your Social Worker for details.
Patient and Family
Picnic
An outgrowth of past support
groups, the annual picnic, held each year at the
Mississippi Ag Museum in Jackson, is
a fun time for patients and their families to take a
break from dialysis schedules and come together for
food, fun and fellowship.
Mississippi Toll-Free Number
To increase accessibility for Mississippi patients, 1-800-232-1592
For more information about any of
the programs or services provided by the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, please contact: Lynda Richards, Director of Patient Services
(601) 981-3611 or toll-free 1-800-232-1592.
