American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Assist Dialysis Patients Affected by Oregon Wildfires and Hurricane Sally

ROCKVILLE, Md. (September 15, 2020)--Dialysis patients facing two vastly different natural disasters may apply for emergency grants from the American Kidney Fund's (AKF) Disaster Relief Program, the nation's only rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis patients. AKF has activated its Disaster Relief Program for patients affected by the wildfires in Oregon and those in the path of Hurricane Sally.

More than two dozen wildfires spreading through Oregon have forced the closure of dialysis centers and the evacuation of thousands of residents. Meanwhile, slow-moving Hurricane Sally is inundating the Gulf Coast with torrential rain as it approaches landfall, threatening massive flooding. Dialysis patients in these regions who need emergency financial help should contact a social worker at their dialysis center for information on applying, call the American Kidney Fund directly at 1.800.795.3226, or submit an application directly at gms.KidneyFund.org.

"Dialysis patients affected by natural disasters face a particularly challenging set of circumstances, needing to attend to their own safety and that of their families while also needing to continue their life-sustaining treatments, often in a different location because of evacuations and clinic closures," said LaVarne A. Burton, president and chief executive officer of the American Kidney Fund. "Our Disaster Relief grants help to alleviate some of the financial burdens they face in the wake of these disasters."

When disaster strikes their communities, disaster relief grants from AKF help patients replace lost medications and special renal diet foods, pay for temporary housing and transportation to treatment, and replace clothing and personal essentials lost due to the natural disaster or the need to evacuate without notice.

AKF's website provides emergency preparedness information for dialysis patients at www.kidneyfund.org/disaster-prep. This page includes information about the 3-Day Emergency Diet Plan for dialysis patients. By following this plan, patients can help reduce waste buildup in their bodies if they have to miss or delay their dialysis treatment.

Last month, AKF activated its Disaster Relief Program for patients affected by Hurricane Laura, and provided emergency grants to 125 patients. In 2017, when back-to-back hurricanes ravaged the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, AKF provided emergency disaster grants totaling nearly $850,000 to more than 3,800 dialysis patients.

To make a contribution to support AKF's programs and services, including the Disaster Relief Program, visit KidneyFund.org/donate. AKF spends 97 cents of every donated dollar on programs and services, ensuring that the maximum number of patients in need receive the help they so desperately need.