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.

Click to Learn More about REAP

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.

Annual Patient Meeting

Jointly sponsored by the MKF and Network 8, this educational day-long seminar, held each August in Jackson, is not only for patients but also for their caretakers. Guest speakers address  treatment modalities, patients' needs and interests and also give them encouragement about coping with kidney disease.

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.

Forward Bound

This vocational rehabilitation program for young adult kidney patients, ages 18-38, is held at the Mississippi Ag Museum in Jackson.

Comments from Forward Bound Participants:

“I want to thank God for Forward Bound because it gives you a time to reflect on your life and how good God has been.”

“Everybody has a different story. I’ve been through the highs and the lows. It’s nice to know you are not in this alone.”

“The Forward Bound staff was wonderful and kind; I was surprised how well I was treated.”

“We need to stay longer next time because it is such a stress reliever.”

“I really had a very good time, meeting new people, learning about the different types of dialysis, and talking about the possibility of going back to work.”

"Being here at Forward Bound has been a wonderful experience, much more than I expected. The stories I've heard help me to realize how lucky and blessed I am. It makes me feel not so alone in my fight for my life as long as I keep sharing and talking with the people I have met."

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 2011 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.