Kidney Disease -or- Can you help me bless my wife?

Kidney Disease -or- Can you help me bless my wife?
By Garren Woodby

Diabetes causes over 40% of the kidney failure cases in the U.S.

High Blood Pressure (which is often seen in people with diabetes) leads to an additional 25-30%.

Of the 100,000 new cases of kidney disease diagnosed each year these two problems account for over 70%. Does that grab your attention?

The two treatments for severe kidney failure are dialysis or transplantation of a new kidney from a living or deceased donor. While neither of these options is "a walk in the park," they are life savers. A much nicer solution is to protect your kidneys so they last just as long as you do. Working with your medical provider to gain good control of your diabetes and blood pressure can help protect your kidneys.

If you are like me, you probably haven't spent much time thinking about organ donation. That all changed for me when my wife suddenly developed severe kidney failure.

My wife Penny has the heart of a lion and the strength of ten men.

Why do I say that? Despite the fact she has end-stage renal failure, is on the transplant waiting list, and takes care of our 20 month old baby, she wants to participate in the local Kidney Walk on Saturday, September 13th.

Would you help me bless my wife?

It would make her heart soar if she could collect some donations for the National Kidney Foundation. You see, little Grace is also being monitored for a kidney condition. (She has the strength of ten babies and is doing great. We are blessed.)

Please consider sponsoring Penny"s walk with a single $5 donation, or better yet adding her link to your email list.

http://walk.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/EastTennesseeInc?px=1145559&pg=personal&fr_id=1270

With much appreciation, Garren