Free Kidney Health Screening in Elmira on Saturday

Elmira, N.Y.–State Senator George Winner (R-C-I, Elmira) and Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) reminded area residents today that the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Upstate NY will conduct a free kidney health screening in Elmira on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

O’Mara and Winner are co-sponsoring the local event together with St. Joseph’s Hospital of Elmira.

Saturday’s free screening will be held at the Blessed Sacrament (Ss Peter & Paul) Parish Community Center, located at 160 High Street in Elmira, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) estimates that approximately 26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease (CDK) and that the vast majority of these adults didn’t know it before being diagnosed through testing.

In a joint statement, Winner and O’Mara said, “We’re grateful for this opportunity to help support and promote an incredibly valuable health screening.  Kidney disease is often called the ‘silent killer’ because most people who have the disease aren’t aware of it until it’s reached an advanced stage.  Early detection through health screenings like this one is critical to the effective treatment of the disease, and the quality of life for patients.” 

According to the NKF Serving Upstate New York, the free health checkup being offered on April 17th is valued at over $200 per person.  The full screening, which takes approximately 45 minutes, involves a blood pressure reading, cholesterol check, glucose check for diabetes, and blood and urine tests for kidney disease.

Primary risk factors for the disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney disease, and age over 60.  Secondary risk factors include obesity, autoimmune diseases, urinary tract infections, systemic infections, and kidney loss, damage, injury, or infection.

Anyone interested in participating in the April 17th screening must meet certain requirements to be eligible for a full checkup.  Contact 607-737-7810 for information on screening requirements and to register.  

Additional information can also be found on the NKF Serving Upstate New York’s Web site at: www.kidneynyup.org.   

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