The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has activated its Disaster Relief Program to assist dialysis and post-transplant patients living in areas that have been impacted by the devastating floods in central Texas.
AKF’s Disaster Relief Program is a rapid-response system that provides emergency financial aid to dialysis and recent transplant patients.
The catastrophic flooding struck early on July 4 on the Guadalupe River near Kerrville killing more than 100 people and causing extensive damage. Evacuation is particularly challenging for people who need to receive dialysis treatments three times per week, AKF said in a press release.
“We are heartbroken to hear about the loss of life and devastation in Texas,” said LaVarne A Burton, AKF President and chief executive officer. “In this time of great need, people living with kidney failure are particularly vulnerable, as they rely on dialysis treatments and specific medications and foods to maintain their health. AKF is ready to provide critical assistance to Texas patients who have been impacted by this disaster.”
Emergency grants of US$250 are available for dialysis and post-transplant patients living in the following counties in Texas: Kerr, Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Williamson and Tom Green. 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 more susceptible to difficulties during a natural disaster, as interruptions to dialysis treatments can put them at risk for being hospitalised. AKF has developed a resource page for patients impacted by the floods, which can be accessed here.
AKF has been providing emergency disaster financial assistance to kidney patients throughout all the major disasters that have struck the USA and its territories for the past three decades. Last year, AKF distributed more than 1,600 disaster relief grants totalling nearly US$420,000 to people affected by hurricanes and severe storms.
