One in three adults in the United States is at risk for kidney disease, 37 million in the US have kidney disease and do not know it, and heart disease and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney disease. African Americans are four times more likely to have kidney failure than White Americans according to the National Kidney Foundation. Black Americans also make up 35 percent of all kidney dialysis patients. Disparities in health care, delay in seeking diagnosis, and healthy living practices are some of the reasons behind this high number. To combat these issues and educate the community, The Links Incorporated, an African American organization of women founded in 1946, is holding their annual Black K.A.R.E. (Kidney Awareness Resource and Education) free health care fair on March 1st. Available to the public will be thousands of dollars in free care, on site lab testing for A1c, diabetes, cholesterol, triglyceride, and ABI .
The organization, whose mission is to ensure the survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry, is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in the nation, contributing more than one million volunteer hours annually. The organization is bringing some of the best in the field to people who may not be able to get the care, service, and information they need. Among the participants offering their services for free are Dr. Samardia Missick, nephrologist, cardiologist, Dr. Emmanuel Isang, Dr. Carla Gillespie, internal medicine, and Dr. Umashankar Ballehaninna, vascular surgeon. To ensure services are available on site, the Links have also partnered with several agencies and medical groups, among them University of Tennessee Medical Center, New Directions Healthcare Solutions, National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association, Apex Vascular, Oak Street Health, Fresenius Kidney Care, LabCorp, Second Harvest, and Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority.
On site testing with immediate results will be available along with opportunities to learn how kidney disease affects the body, how to slow the progression, and healthy eating and dietary information. The fair will be held at the Change Center, 203 Harriet Tubman St in Knoxville on March 1st from 10 am till 2 pm. Interested participants can register on site. To reach the organization call 865 824 6562 or knoxlinkskare@gmail.com
