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. 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.

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.

Patient Workshops

We sponsor several informative and educational workshops annually for patients and their families. Every August we sponsor, along with Network 8, an Annual Patient Meeting for patients and family members. We also sponsor an annual family picnic in the summer.

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.

Professional Symposiums

Jointly sponsored with Network 8, the MS Kidney Foundation presents professional symposiums designed to target primary care physicians, nephrologists, nurse practitioners, dialysis providers, surgeons and vascular access interventionalists, as well as dialysis nurses and technicians. The 2008 symposium , entitled “Truth and Consequences: Diabetes, CVD and CKD”, will be held April 12 and 13, at UMC. For more information, call the MS Kidney Foundation at (601) 981-3611 or Network 8 at (601) 936-9260.
 

Patient Services: Improving the Quality of Life

Non-emergency Transportation Program (NET)

Through a grant from the State of Mississippi, the MS Kidney Foundation provided transportation to and from dialysis for patients previously in the PLAD category of Medicaid.

Patient Emergency Fund

Funds raised by dialysis units for the Kidney Walk are held for patient emergencies, including assistance with medications, utilities, etc.

Southern Comforts Cookbook

This newly designed cookbook is for kidney patients and their families. It is provided free to Mississippi residents; out-of-town residents may purchase the cookbook for $10. 

Forward Bound

This vocational rehabilitation program for young adult kidney patients, ages 18-38, is held in the Fall at Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS.  A highlight of the retreat is the Ropes Course designed by First Steps Training & Development.

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.”

“This weekend was one of the most wonderful, most enjoyable times of my life.”

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

“I don’t know how much the Ropes Course cost, but it was worth every penny!”

“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.”
 

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. Pro-Stat, a concentrated liquid, is given to patients with dangerously low albumin levels and is administered during their dialysis treatments.

KIDey Kids Retreat

This overnight camp for children, ages 8 - 16, and their parents is held each Spring at Jacobs Camp in Utica.

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, and dieticians, helps to plan and implement programs and patient services.

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.

Patient Calendar

Distributed every October, the "Kidney Connection Calendar" features kidney-friendly recipes, nutritional tips and other bits of wisdom for kidney patients.

Medic Identification Jewelry

Medical Alert bracelets or necklaces are available for kidney patients at the reduced rate of $4.

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.