When:  Sunday, March 28, 2010

                   Salmon Run Mall – Food Court

                   Registration 11:00am, Walk begins at noon

What: The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Walk is a fun, inspiring, community fundraiser which calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation. It's also an opportunity for patients, family, friends and businesses to come together to support the millions of Americans with chronic kidney disease, over 1.2 million  in NY!

Why: Thanks to the money raised through the walks, NKF is able to offer free health screenings for kidney disease, public and professional education programs, advocacy to make patients' voices heard through legislative action, and a vital research program to identify new clinical treatments.

How: Register on-line, www.kidneywalk.org or you can register the day of the event. Participation is free. Walkers that raise $100 are eligible for the official kidney walk t-shirt

WHO: Come and meet the “faces”  of Kidney Disease. WWNY’s Jessica Cain – Kidney Walk MC, Tyler Reome – Honorary Chairman, 15 year old TI student , on dialysis, Extinguishers Team – local fire department team where a firewoman donated her kidney to her fellow firefighter, The Watertown Chrome Divas – local motorcycle club dedicated to the fight against kidney disease. Each team has a heartwarming human interest as to how kidney disease has touched their lives and why it’s important for them to “Walk the Walk”.

For more information call the National Kidney Foundation of CNY 315-476-0311

Fight Kidney Disease

The NKF's Kidney Walks are designed to help people understand the need for early detection of kidney disease. Over 355,000 Americans rely on a dialysis machine to keep them alive, and nearly 82,000 are on the waiting list for a lifesaving kidney transplant. Recent studies indicate that kidney disease is on the rise and as many as 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because symptoms may not appear until the kidneys are actually failing, many people do not take steps to protect the health of their kidneys.

FAST FACTS

    * Chronic kidney disease affects 26 million Americans and millions more are at risk
    * Kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable
    * Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and family history
    * Early detection can slow the progression of kidney disease
    * Once kidneys fail, patients need dialysis or a transplant to survive
    * over 104,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant

Chronic Kidney Disease is a public health priority. The physical, emotional and financial effects are devastating.  Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Obesity and age are the major risk factors for developing kidney disease.

Some staggering local statistics; (CNY includes the counties of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence)

·         1 in 13 adults in CNY are diagnosed with Diabetes

·         CNY Diabetes treatment costs are $439 million

·         1 in 4 adults in CNY are diagnosed with High Blood Pressure

·         CNY High Blood Pressure treatment costs are $56 million

·         6 in 10 adults in CNY are either Overweight  or Obese

·         CNY  Obesity treatment costs are $309 million

·         CKD in NY has increased by 116%

·         CKD treatment in NY is $2.9 billion – 4th highest state !