The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is teaming up with regional Diabetes Today Resource Teams to provide free kidney and health screening for all community members. The KidneyMobile will be traveling throughout southern Illinois during June and August in an effort to prevent, educate and empower those who might be at risk.
The screenings will be offered from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the following sites: Tuesday, June 6, Trinity Assembly, 1600 Saunders Avenue in Carmi; Wednesday, June 7 at Shawnee Worship Center, 513 E. Vine in Vienna; Thursday June 8 at the Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Avenue; Friday, June 9 at Perry Country Health Department, 907 S. Main and Monday, Aug. 28 at Sparta Community Hospital, 1300 N. Market. Anyone interested in getting screened for kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes is encouraged to attend. In addition to the screening, attendees will also be able to talk privately with a medical professional about their results. There is no cost and appointments are not necessary.
One in three American adults is at risk of kidney disease. Each year, kidney disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined, but while the majority of Americans can recite the common tests for breast and prostate cancer, many do not know the risk factors and tests that could keep them off dialysis and the transplant list. Because kidney disease often develops slowly with few symptoms, it can frequently go undetected until it is very advanced. Simple steps such as controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, keeping weight down, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and avoiding excessive use of pain medicine, can help reduce risk.
To date, the KidneyMobile® has screened more than 50,000 people in Illinois. Alarmingly, over 80 percent of those screened were found to have at least one significantly abnormal test result. This shocking statistic clearly indicates how important it is to provide free, chronic disease screenings and
education in communities throughout Illinois, particularly in areas like southern Illinois that are deemed most at-risk.
For more information contact the National Kidney Foundation® at (312) 321-1500 or visit www.nkfi.org
