Hurricane Michael's Landfall Threatening to Disrupt Treatment for Dialysis Patients in Several States; American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Help

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hurricane Michael threatens to disrupt life-sustaining dialysis treatment for patients in Florida's Panhandle and surrounding states. In response, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) today activated its Disaster Relief Program to provide emergency financial assistance to patients affected by the storm.

The third-strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, Michael left widespread destruction and is continuing inland to states still recovering from Hurricane Florence. AKF is ready to quickly process emergency grants to help patients replace lost medications and special renal diet foods, pay for temporary housing and transportation to treatment, and replace clothing and personal essentials lost in the storm.

Any dialysis patient affected by Hurricane Michael who needs an AKF disaster relief grant should contact their dialysis social worker for information on applying, or call AKF directly at 800.795.3226. AKF's Disaster Relief Program is the nation's only rapid-response system that provides emergency charitable financial assistance to dialysis patients when disaster strikes their communities.

"Natural disasters can create life-threatening conditions for dialysis patients, who need regular treatment to live, take numerous medications daily and follow careful diets customized for people with kidney failure," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF president and chief executive officer. "Our Disaster Relief Program is a lifeline for the dialysis patients who find themselves in the path of a natural disaster."

AKF has published a natural disaster resource page for dialysis patients and renal professionals in the path of Hurricane Michael at KidneyFund.org/disaster-prep. In addition to emergency phone numbers and state and municipal resources, it contains information about the 3-Day Emergency Diet Plan for dialysis patients. By following this plan, patients can help reduce waste buildup in their bodies if they have to miss or delay their dialysis treatment.

In 2018, AKF has provided over $170,000 to more than 1,000 patients affected by Florence, with support from generous donations from the American Society of Nephrology and its members, Relypsa, Inc., Akebia Therapeutics and the public. In 2017, AKF provided nearly $850,000 in disaster relief grants to more than 3,800 dialysis patients affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

AKF's Disaster Relief Program is funded through donations from individuals, foundations and corporations, and 100 percent of all contributions go directly to the grants for dialysis patients.

AKF is included on Charity Navigator's list of 4-star charities providing disaster relief for Hurricane Michael. Anyone who like to help dialysis patients affected by Hurricane Michael or other natural disasters can make a contribution to AKF's Disaster Relief Program.

About the American Kidney Fund

As the nation's leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 30 million Americans with kidney disease, the American Kidney Fund is dedicated to ensuring that every kidney patient has access to health care, and that every person at risk for kidney disease is empowered to prevent it. AKF provides a complete spectrum of programs and services: prevention outreach, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 5 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation. AKF holds the highest ratings from the nation's charity watchdog groups, including Charity Navigator, which includes AKF on its "top 10" list of nonprofits with the longest track records of outstanding stewardship of the donated dollar, and GuideStar, which has awarded AKF its Platinum Seal of Transparency.

For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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SOURCE American Kidney Fund