American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Support Dialysis and Post-Transplant Patients Affected by Tornadoes in Mississippi

ROCKVILLE, Md. (March 28, 2023) — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has turned on its Disaster Relief Program to administer emergency grants to dialysis and post-transplant patients affected by tornadoes over the weekend in Mississippi's Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties. The tornadoes have killed at least 21 people and left dozens injured. AKF's Disaster Relief Program is the nation's sole rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients.

"Our hearts go out to everyone in Mississippi who has been affected by these deadly tornadoes," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "During natural disasters like these, in which people's homes are literally torn apart, the last thing anyone should have to worry about is their health care. AKF is ready to provide financial assistance to help ensure people on dialysis and post-transplant patients in the affected Mississippi counties have access to the lifesaving care they need to survive."

Emergency grants of $250 are available for dialysis and post-transplant patients in four Mississippi counties that were devastated by tornadoes on March 24. AKF will monitor the situation and may expand the area as needed. AKF has partnered with AdheaRx, which uses AI-powered communication technology, to reach AKF-served patients in affected areas, offering disaster relief resources and encouraging patients to share information about their needs in the wake of the disaster. Disaster relief grants from AKF help patients replace lost medications and 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.

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 Mississippi residents impacted by last weekend's tornadoes.   

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 two decades. Last year, AKF provided nearly $120,000 in disaster relief grants to nearly 500 people with kidney failure who were affected by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Ian in Florida, wildfires in New Mexico and flooding in Kentucky.

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.