Did you know? 33% of adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease, but most of them don’t know it. Take a minute to find out if you’re in the 33%. Just one minute might save your life. Visit us here to take the quiz.

Your Dollars at Work: This year, our goal is to help 200 Dialysis patients in Delaware receive a care package. Every item in our standard care package provides comfort and helps to pass the time while fulfilling a specific need for patients. 

 

For $30.00 a per patient YOU can provide: 

Tote Bag – A tote bag helps carry many items patients may need to bring to and from dialysis. Often patients are asked to bring in all their medications for review. Some may be taking upwards of 15 different types!

Water Bottle/Pill Case – Having this convenient combo to take on the go can help with medication adherence and tracking fluid consumption. Dialysis patients have to restrict their fluid consumption.  When kidneys fail, they are unable to excrete all the fluid that one takes in. If not controlled, this excess fluid can build up in the body and cause damage to the heart and lungs. Dialysis patients are also prescribed a phosphate binder to control the level of phosphorous, a mineral, in their blood. Since the kidneys are not able to balance the vitamins and minerals in their blood, this pill is taken with meals to help. 

Squeezable Kidney – The process of hemodialysis requires blood to be removed through an access in the arm (too much, or not enough?) In order to properly develop this access for use, patients are asked to squeeze on an item such as this squeezable kidney. 

Coloring Book/Pencils – Each hemodialysis treatment can vary in time from patient to patient. However, patients are commonly prescribed between 3-4 hours per treatment, 3 times per week. Having an activity that can be done with one hand can help to pass the time. Mindfulness exercises have been shown to help reduce anxiety, a common problem amongst patients. 

Recipe Card Booklet – One of the most difficult transitions a patient must make when going on dialysis is adjusting diet. Includes 7 easy-to-follow recipes and an online nutrition resource. 

Mini Hand Sanitizer - Patients on dialysis can have weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight infections.  With a convenient size, the sanitizer can be taken anywhere to help eliminate germs. 

Additional pamphlets and NKF resources are also provided by your generous gift, including information about how to access NKF Cares, our FREE patient information help line. It allows patients, family members and care partners to speak with a trained specialist who will answer their questions and listen to their concerns.

 






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