American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Support Dialysis and Post-Transplant Patients Affected by Hurricane Helene

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Sept. 25, 2024) — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is activating its Disaster Relief Program to assist dialysis and post-transplant patients living in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.  AKF's Disaster Relief Program is the nation's sole rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients. 

The storm, which at time of publication on Wednesday was approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast, is forecast to bring destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge on Thursday to parts of northwest Florida and potentially to other southeast states. Power outages and tornadoes are expected along the west coast of Florida, and both voluntary and mandatory evacuations have been ordered for parts or all of at least 21 counties. As it moves inland, Helene may also bring flash-flooding to areas of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Many individuals along the coast are under mandatory evacuation orders; evacuation is particularly challenging for people who depend on dialysis three times per week.  

"We are holding the people who are in the path of this dangerous storm in our thoughts and hope for the best possible outcome," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "Dealing with the effects of natural disasters is stressful for anyone, but it is especially taxing – and can become dangerous – when you have kidney failure and are relying on dialysis and specific medications and foods to maintain your health and wellbeing. AKF stands ready to provide financial aid to help ease the burden as patients manage the aftermath of this storm." 

Emergency grants of $250 are now available for dialysis and post-transplant patients living in counties in the Florida Panhandle and Florida's Gulf Coast as well as southwestern Georgia. Assistance may become available in other counties as needed. 

Disaster relief grants help patients with low incomes replace lost medications and kidney-friendly foods (which may be spoiled due to power outages), 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 with little to no notice.   

People with kidney failure are particularly susceptible to difficulties during a natural disaster, as interruptions to dialysis treatments can put them at risk for being hospitalized. AKF has developed a resource page for patients impacted by Hurricane Helene, which can be accessed here. 

To donate in support of AKF's disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, visit AKF's website. AKF covers the administrative costs of this program so that 100% of donations may go directly to patients in need. 

AKF has been providing emergency disaster financial assistance to kidney patients throughout all the major disasters that have struck the United States and its territories for the past three decades. Earlier this year, AKF administered emergency grants to dialysis and post-transplant patients impacted by destructive storms in Houston. Last year, AKF provided more than $70,000 in disaster relief grants to more than 500 people with kidney failure who were affected by tornadoes in Mississippi, wildfires in Hawaii, Typhoon Mawar in Guam and Hurricane Idalia in Florida.  

Dialysis and recent kidney transplant patients who need emergency financial help should contact a social worker at their dialysis or transplant clinic for information on applying for aid or apply directly at gms.KidneyFund.org.