NKF to offer Resources and Information to Katrina Patients

National Kidney Foundation Offers Information, Resources to Kidney Patients Affected by Hurricane Katrina

New York, NY - September 2, 2005-- Thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina face homelessness and devastation, but kidney patients without access to dialysis treatment face life-threatening danger in addition to loss of property, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). To help patients in the affected areas get the services they need, the foundation has created a relief resource network, posted on www.kidney.org, offering dialysis locations and treatment information, other patient assistance and information for health care professionals interested in volunteering for the effort.

"The need to connect people with information and resources is so great right now, " says David Warnock, MD, NKF President, "but it won't go away in a week, two weeks or even two months. Today, it's providing access to medical care, necessary medication and information on how to get to a shelter where a makeshift dialysis unit is being set up. Tomorrow, it will be food, temporary housing, transportation, expenses related to relocation and various needs incurred by both dialysis and transplant patients. The National Kidney Foundation Patients Hurricane Relief Fund will help address those immediate and long-term needs."

To contribute to the foundation's Hurricane Relief Fund, visit www.kidney.org or mail checks to the National Kidney Foundation Patients Hurricane Relief Fund, 30 E. 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. One hundred percent of funds contributed to the Relief Fund will go directly towards patient assistance.

"Patients with kidney failure must undergo lifesaving dialysis treatment three times a week for five hours at a time. The dialysis machine acts as an artificial kidney, filtering toxins from the blood of patients whose kidneys cannot perform this function. Hurricane Katrina has immobilized many dialysis clinics who are unable to treat patients due to lack of electricity, running water and damage. Our relief resources will help those patients gain access to the care they need and the Relief Fund will ensure that they continue to receive not only dialysis care, but care for basic human needs," continues Warnock.

To learn more about how you can help, contact the National Kidney Foundation at (800)622-9010.