The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has recently announced the formation of a Coronavirus Emergency Fund intended to support low income dialysis and transplant patients who may face unanticipated financial challenges as a result of the ongoing coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. Many people with pre-existing medical conditions are at an elevated risk for the disease, and that includes patients living with chronic kidney disease.
About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease is an illness in which the functionality of the kidneys is affected over time. This progressive disease can occur over a period of months or years and often results in eventual kidney failure. This disease often causes no symptoms at first. There are a number of risk factors for chronic kidney disease, such as diabetes, glomerulonephritis, family history, and high blood pressure. The cause is not known in all cases. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as leg swelling, confusion, fatigue, vomiting, loss of appetite, heart disease, bone disease, anemia, and high blood pressure may appear. Treatment may include dietary changes, certain medications, and, in later stages, dialysis or kidney transplant. The most common cause of death for people with chronic kidney disease is cardiovascular disease, which may appear before the kidneys completely shut down. To learn more about chronic kidney disease, click here.
The Coronavirus Emergency Fund
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the AKF has immediately transferred $300,000 from its budget into the Coronavirus Emergency Fund to support the basic needs of low income patients, such as food, medication, or transportation. Low income dialysis patients are at high risk of exposure because of their need to travel to receive treatment. This travel often includes public transportation. These patients are unable to postpone their treatments in any way as they are essential to their continued survival.
If you are a patient living with chronic kidney disease and are on dialysis or have received a transplant, you may be eligible for assistance through the fund. To apply for assistance, click here.
Needless to say, the AKF is also requesting public donations to keep the Coronavirus Emergency Fund up and running. If you would like to chip in to help these patients, click here.
Why are chronic kidney disease patients at a high risk for coronavirus?
Check out these resources:
Patients with End Stage Chronic Kidney Disease are at Greater Risk for COVID-19
https://www.kidneyfund.org/coronavirus/
