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American Kidney Fund activates Disaster Relief Program to help dialysis patients affected by Hurricane Sandy
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The American Kidney Fund, a provider of charitable assistance to dialysis patients, has activated its Disaster Relief Program to help dialysis patients who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"A disaster of this magnitude poses a life-threatening challenge to dialysis patients who must have regular treatment in order to survive,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. "The American Kidney Fund's core mission is to help dialysis patients who are in financial need and have nowhere else to turn. We are activating our Disaster Relief Program in the hope that we may provide much-needed help to patients who have been impacted by this storm."
The American Kidney Fund's Disaster Relief Program provides emergency assistance in the form of block grants to local dialysis centers when disaster strikes a community. Dialysis centers then distribute the funds to help their patients pay for essentials such as food, shelter, medications and the cost of fuel or transportation to reach dialysis treatment.
Dialysis social workers can request assistance from American Kidney Fund
Dialysis center social workers may request a block grant to assist their patients by calling the American Kidney Fund Patient Services Department at 800.638.8299. The American Kidney Fund does not accept Disaster Relief grant applications directly from patients.
Contributions from lead supporters including Amgen, American Renal Associates and Affymax-Takeda have enabled the American Kidney Fund to activate its Disaster Relief Program. In addition, Sanofi Renal/Genzyme Corporation is providing in-kind support. The American Kidney Fund continues to accept financial contributions to assist in the effort. Anyone wishing to contribute may visit www.kidneyfund.org to make an online donation.
The American Kidney Fund’s largest disaster relief effort occurred after Hurricane Katrina, when more than 5,100 Gulf Coast dialysis patients in 12 states received emergency assistance totaling over $260,000 from AKF, thanks to donations from the general public and corporations.
*Photo: Local crews clear streets in Rockaway, N.Y. that are piled with sand due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy. A fire leveled dozens of homes on the peninsula.