National Kidney Foundation Statement on Hurricanes Irma and Harvey -- Resources for Dialysis Patients

NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Irma devastates areas throughout Florida, and the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey continues to cripple families and businesses in Houston and the surrounding areas of the Gulf Coast, National Kidney Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt support to all those affected by these unparalleled natural disasters. 

NKF's Affiliate in Florida, NKF of Florida, and NKF's Houston field office are closed. 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, Florida and Houston-area dialysis centers, how to find shelter, current road closures, open pharmacies, and other emergency resources. 

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 across the U.S. is: 866-901-3773. 

Patients and families may also contact the Florida and Texas ESRD Networks which provides emergency relief. For Florida call ESRD Network 7 at 800-826-3773 or visit https://www.hsag.com/esrdnetwork7; and for Texas call ESRD Network 14 at 866-407-ESRD or http://www.esrdnetwork.org/disaster-planning. 

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.

NKF has established a Hurricane Relief Fund to help dialysis patients in the aftermath of these natural disasters. Recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey will be long and challenging; the NKF Hurricane Relief Fund seeks to alleviate some of the financial strain that dialysis patients will face in its aftermath.  100% of the proceeds from NKF's Hurricane Relief Fund will go to dialysis patients in Florida and the Houston area.  The relief fund will be coordinated with a patient's social worker and doctor, and an application must be submitted.  To donate or to find out how to apply for assistance visit www.kidney.org/help.

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.

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SOURCE National Kidney Foundation

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