World Kidney Day this Thursday, March 10
More than 86,000 people are on the waiting list for a kidney, and some will die while waiting. There is hope. UCLA Transplant Surgeon Jeffrey Veale, MD, will discuss Kidney Exchange Transplant Chains to the Walk Team Leaders and their guests at the World Kidney Day Celebration and Kidney Walk Kick-Off on Thursday March 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Dr. Veale is excited to share how we can shorten the transplant waiting list by utilizing Kidney Exchange. A kidney exchange is an innovative twist on efforts aimed at increasing the donor pool by giving people who are unable to receive a kidney from a loved one or friend the opportunity to still receive a kidney through an exchange between incompatible donor-recipient pairs. Approximately one-third of patients who have a willing living kidney donor will not be able to receive the donor kidney because of an incompatible blood type or incompatible crossmatch. For more information, visit http://transplants.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=112&oTopID=34.
Other speakers include team leaders, kidney donors, kidney recipients and family members. The Inaugural Kidney Walk will be championed by Katherine Pinedo, kidney recipient, and her donor Randy Weiss, named a 2009 Local Hero by The Independent. Pinedo’s transplant is further celebrated with the recent birth of her first child. The 2-mile walk takes place on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort. For more info on the walk, visit http://donate.kidney.org/SB2011. Interviews available by request.
What: World Kidney Day Celebration and Inaugural Tri-Counties Kidney Walk Kick-Off
When: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Time: 5:00 pm Reception, 6:00 pm Presentations by Physician and Team Leaders
Where: Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort: Reception at Barra Los Arcos (hotel bar) and Presentations in Santa Cruz West (banquet room)
Who: Medical professionals, Team Leaders, friends/families of those suffering from Kidney Disease, dialysis unit leaders, organ donors and those on a waiting list. RSVP requested.
Why: To raise awareness for kidney disease and organ donation, learn more about altruistic organ donors and transplant exchange, and to share fundraising ideas and stories.
Info: Contact Juli Askew at juli.askew@kidney.org or 805-245-7015
About the Kidney Foundation of Southern California and Southern Nevada:
The National Kidney Foundation is the major voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. Through its offices nationwide, the foundation conducts programs in research, professional education, patient and community services, public education and organ donation.
Contact: Juli Askew, Special Events Manager
National Kidney Foundation Serving Southern California and Southern Nevada – Tri-Counties Region
Tel: 805-245-7015
Email: juli.askew@kidney.org and www.kidneysocal.org