National Kidney Foundation Statement on Hurricane Harvey and Resources for Dialysis Patients

NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Harvey continues to devastate Houston and the surrounding areas along the Gulf Coast, National Kidney Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt support to our local-area staff, volunteers, patients and families affected by this terrible disaster.  The Houston office of National Kidney Foundation is closed until further notice as it is in the flood zone. Patients, healthcare providers and families should visit www.kidney.org/help or call our toll-free helpline, 1-855-NKF-CARES for resources and information including emergency nutrition, Houston-area dialysis centers, how to find shelter, current road closures, open pharmacies, and other emergency resources. 

Patients and families may also contact the ESRD Network14 which provides emergency relief at 866-407-ESRD or http://www.esrdnetwork.org/disaster-planning.  NKF is a member of the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition, which provides disaster preparedness resources and supports the ESRD Network Program. The toll-free KCER Emergency Hotline for patients and providers is: 866-901-3773. 

People with kidney disease are at increased risk for life-threatening consequences during emergency situations and natural disasters when access to dialysis treatment or medication may be interrupted.  NKF is here to help provide kidney patients and their families with the resources, support and information they need during this national crisis.  For more information visit www.kidney.org/help or call 1-855-NKF-CARES.

Kidney Disease Facts
30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren't aware of it.  1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease.  Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history of kidney failure.  People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease.  African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end stage renal disease (kidney failure).

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information about NKF visit www.kidney.org.

Twitter:@NKF  

SOURCE National Kidney Foundation

Related Links

http://www.kidney.org