U.S. Non-Profit Announces Opening of Life-Saving Dialysis Facility

U.S. Non-Profit Announces Opening of Life-Saving Dialysis Facility in Philippines

Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions Partners with Government to Offer Renal Awareness Camps

U.S. Non-Profit Announces Opening of Life-Saving Dialysis Facility in Philippines

TACOMA, Wash., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focuses on bringing life-saving dialysis to developing countries, announced the grand opening of the new Mayor Julian "Jolly" Reseueollo Dialysis Center in the Philippines. Located in San Carlos, the new dialysis clinic will be the first in the area, serving roughly 250,000 residents in the surrounding communities who previously had no place to receive kidney care.

Kidney disease is the 7th leading cause of death among Filipinos. Unfortunately, proper treatment is difficult due to lack of access to hospitals that can provide dialysis and the unaffordable cost of treatment. By partnering with the local government to open the facility in San Carlos, Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions(TM) hopes to make treatment much more accessible.

"Accessibility to kidney care is one of the main problems for the San Carlos community," said Ginny Mello, Executive Director for the Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions program. "There have been no dialysis facilities in the area until now, and we are pleased to partner with the Governor to help create a healthier, more vibrant community."

Volunteers for the Bridge of Life worked to create the facility's design, offered expert advice on construction requirements, developed training material for local clinicians and partnered with local vendors to design and install the essential water system. Featuring 12 dialysis stations and a highly-skilled clinical team, the new facility treated its first patient, Virginia Rosario, at noon today local time.

The Bridge of Life will be featuring a Renal Awareness Camp in San Carlos on July 11th. More than 20 Bridge of Life volunteers will be providing surrounding residents with no-cost health care screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. A second Renal Awareness Camp is scheduled for July 25th and will feature Governor Amado T. Espino.

The Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions has helped to establish or enhance six dialysis clinics worldwide in such countries as India, Cameroon, Ecuador and Guatemala. Bridge of Life continues to pursue partnership opportunities in Central and South America, the Philippines and India. DaVita, one of the leading providers of kidney care services in the United States, proudly supports the Bridge of Life's efforts in partnering with local entities around the world to help bring much needed assistance to impoverished communities. Through technical support, equipment, supplies, training and thousands of teammate hours, DaVita is committed to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. Recognized as the only FORTUNE 500(R) company on WorldBlu's annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces(TM). As of March 31, 2009, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,475 outpatient dialysis facilities and acute units in approximately 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 114,000 patients. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

About Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions

Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit inspired by DaVita Inc., focuses on efforts to improve and transform the quality of life for those in underserved communities both locally and globally, promoting sustainable change through local partnerships. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions in partnership with DaVita teammates establishes dialysis facilities, trains local staff, pre-screens local residents for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and works with local hospitals in underserved countries to provide quality dialysis assistance. For more information on Bridge of Life--DaVita Medical Missions' programs, please visit www.bridgeoflifemm.org.
Website: http://www.davita.com
Website: http://www.bridgeoflifemm.org

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