"Casual for Kidneys" Kicks off Kidney Month

"Casual for Kidneys" Kicks off Kidney Month

National Kidney Foundation Serving Upstate NY • Reader Submitted • March 5, 2009

To kick off National Kidney Month, the National Kidney Foundation Serving Upstate New York has designated World Kidney Day, Thursday, March 11th as “Casual for Kidneys” Day. They are encouraging organizations to go casual for the cause. Each participant is asked to make a donation to help fund kidney disease prevention awareness.

“Kidney disease is at epidemic levels, due to the alarming increase in type 2 diabetes, which, along with high blood pressure, are the leading risk factors, for kidney disease, “ explained Matthew Belanger, Past-President of the NKF. Belanger resides on Clover Hills Drive in Brighton.

You know when you have a headache, sore throat, a cold or the flu. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), is potentially fatal condition that's often called "the silent disease" because it frequently isn't detected until it has reached the later stages. But if it is detected at it earliest stages, one can slow or delay the progression to kidney failure.

Michael J. Miller, of Esplanade Drive, Brighton, an attorney at Chamberlain, D'Amanda, Oppenheimer and Greenfield, was enthusiastic about the idea from the very start. “We're more than happy to swap business attire for casual wear for a very worthwhile cause.” Miller explained that he himself is an organ donor, and encourages others to sign an organ donor card. Currently, over 300 people are on the kidney transplant waiting list at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Many have been waiting over five years for a kidney.

Organizations large and small are participating including Underberg Kessler, Paetec, Bishop Kearney High School, Mengel Metzger and the law offices of Underberg Kessler Leegant and Egger, Conners and Ferris, William Moehle, Esq, Northwestern Mutual, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and Rochester Institute of Technology .

“We are facing tough financial times at the moment,” explained Belanger, “Casual for Kidneys is a great opportunity to raise funds for kidney disease prevention programs.”

Contributions will fund local “How to Keep Your Kidneys Going Strong” workshops, free kidney screenings, and prevention education for medical professionals.

Any organization interested in participating should contact Jan Miller, Division President at the National Kidney Foundation Serving Upstate New York, 697-0874 x23/

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090305/LOCAL13/903050358/1007/SPORTS