Patient Services

The Calcium Binder Program has been developed to improve patient calcium retention and reduce the increased possibility of osteoporosis. Both the nutritional supplements and calcium binders are often too expensive for indigent patients to purchase without financial assistance. A collaborative effort from renal dietitians and renal social workers has helped NKF of Utah & Idaho target patients in physical and financial need of these supplements.

Donations of used cars to the National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho have made possible the creation of the Care-A-Van - a volunteer-based program designed to help dialysis patients get to and from life-saving treatment sessions.

"These patients don't have a choice, dialysis is the only means of having some quality of life as well as quantity," said Patsy Hough-DeCaro, a Care-A-Van representative.

Last year over 250 trips were made in providing the healthcare needed for dialysis patients. "Continued financial support from The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho is vital to our ability to continue this service," Hough-DeCaro said, "by individuals donating their cars to The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho, the NKF helps fund our program that in a very real sense saves lives."

"Where would the people be if the service wasn't available?" Hough- DeCaro asked, "Some would be in nursing homes, some would die slow painful deaths, children would not have the chance to live normal lives, and others may have no more than 14 days to live."

For additional info about donating a car or volunteering to drive, call 800-869-5277

Dental Select of Utah provides over 100 families with the "silver dental program." This dental discount plan enables patients to receive treatment from over 125 general dentists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and periodontists throughout the state of Utah, and to receive this treatment without insurance premiums, annual benefit limits or pre-existing condition clauses. With Medicare and Medicaid offering little by way of dental benefits, dental care is often viewed as unaffordable by many patients.

Through this dental plan, more dialysis patients are able to receive dental care. Dental health and the control of oral infections are a requirement for consideration of organ transplantation.

Jocelyn Johnson, a dialysis patient states, "Because of my medical bills, I haven't been to a dentist for four years. Dental Select will help for sure."

The NKF of Utah & Idaho Educational Scholarship Program is dedicated to enhancing the independence and self-sufficiency of Utah and Idaho kidney patients. These scholarships are awarded to kidney transplant recipients and dialysis patients to assist them in the completion of their higher education. Students range from freshman to seniors, and pursue degrees at colleges in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.

The Foundation is grateful to the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation for their generous grant which helps to make these scholarships possible. Our thanks as well go to the Steve Holt Memorial Golf Tournament for their kind contributions used to assist transplant patients returning to school.

This Year's Recipients:

Each year The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho, in conjunction with the Great Salt Lake Truck Show, sponsors the Truck Show Family Kidney Kamp. Dialysis and transplant patients and family members anually spend the first weekend of September among the pines at Aspen Grove at the base of spectacular Mount Timpanogos.

Hospitals are forgotten as campers participate in fishing, swimming, hiking, basketball, shuffle board, miniature golf, racquetball, arts and crafts and motivational learning sessions. Motivational speakers inspire attendees with real life stories of facing challenges, overcoming adversity and dealing with challenges. Saturday afternoon "Follies" offer the chance for families and new found friends to bond together in fun and challenging outdoor contests. The spirit of fun, camaraderie and family unity lifts the hearts of patients and their families. Lasting friendships are formed and lifelong memories are made. Patients and families leave the camp emotionally, physically, and spiritually renewed and better able to cope as a family with the challenge of living day-to-day with kidney disease.

For More information on the Great Salt Lake Truck Show go to:
www.saltlaketruckshow.com/

The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho wants patients to achieve and maintain a full and active life. Because patients often experience feelings of isolation during many hours on dialysis this program was created to allow patients the opportunity to achieve personal growth and broaden their horizons, keep in touch with the world, telecommute to work, maintain correspondence, and have a myriad of educational opportunities while dialyzing.

In 2005 - 2006 the Foundation expanded its national award winning laptop program to include thirteen centers in Utah & Idaho.

In our commitment to insure quality healthcare to patients, the Foundation has supplied over 500 pieces of Medical Alert Jewelry. These warning bracelets and necklaces are essential for patients in case of medical emergency.

The Nutritional Supplement Program provides dialysis patients with nutritional supplements such as Boost Plus and Pro-Cell. As a result of this program, dieticians at Utah and Idaho dialysis centers have reported to the foundation that patients have been able to improve their laboratory results and nutritional well being. Statistical analyses of patient lab results show that the supplied supplements have a direct effect on the way patients feel, dramatically improving their energy level and quality of life.

Cynthia Ray RD, DaVita Utah Valley Dialysis, states,
"My patients have been able to improve their laboratory values and nutritional status by use of these nutritional products."

Shirley Farr RD, Oquirrh Artificial Kidney Center, said,
"There is no program offered by the NKF of Utah and Idaho that has a more direct effect on the way patients feel. With these supplements, their labs are better as well as their energy level and quality of life."

Over 191,976 supplement portions were distributed during the past year.

The foundation is dedicated to ensuring that Utah & Idaho Kidney patients receive the latest information regarding medication, treatments, nutrition and information which may improve the quality of their daily lives. Patient conferences are tailored to fit individual patient needs and feature question and answer sessions with physicians and other healthcare professionals, patient support groups, and uplifting motivational speakers to name a few.

Check the news and events to find information on the next conference.

There are approximately 800 new End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients in Utah and Idaho each year. One of the greatest challenges a new ESRD patient faces is the need for information and education concerning how the disease will affect daily living and what treatment options are available. All new ESRD patients receive a Kidney Patient Education and Resource Packet. The Kidney Patient Education and Resource Packets offer critical information on coping with kidney disease on a daily basis with such materials as the book, "When Your Kidneys Fail," important nutritional and diet information, treatment options, and information regarding NKF U & I support activities and patient programs.

The foundation has received outstanding feedback regarding this program. TeAnn Murdock, social worker at Uintah Basin and Mt. View Dialysis shares the following experience...

The packets are distributed directly to nephrologists, nurse practitioners, and dialysis center social workers for distribution.

The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho provides help for kidney patients through its Patient Emergency Services program. Patients in need receive assistance grants to help pay for food, rent, utilities, transportation, vehicle maintenance, medical insurance, medications and doctors bills. The Foundation also supplies each Dialysis Center throughout the states of Utah & Idaho an Emergency Patient Fund to assist with emergency needs.

The dialyisis reasearch foundation joins NKFUI in sponsoring what is likely the largest of gathering of dialysis patients and their extended families held in the nation. (Over 4,000 in attendance)

Dialysis is not only costly it is very time consuming. Often family activities are limited due to rigorous dialyzing schedules and/or difficulty in acquiring a dialyzing session while away. The National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho provides various patient events throughout the states of Utah and Idaho to give patients and their families a much deserved break from their regular routine. Please check the news and events for information on the next patient event.

The National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games is a biannual Olympic style competition where over 1200 transplant recipient athletes compete in strenuous sporting events for gold, silver, and bronze medals, proving indeed that organ transplantation is the "Gift of Life". The NKFU&I is proud to support Team Utah/Idaho to participate in this event.

For more information:

• National Information: Transplant Games
• Team Utah & Idaho
  Kally Heslop, Manager
  150 West 100 North
  Kaysville, UT 84037
  heslops210@msn.com
  

Learning is a lifelong process. We start learning with our first breath and continue to learn through our entire life. This program is designed as an avenue for patients to learn a foreign language, draw, grow a giant pumpkin, write poetry, auto repair, surf the internet, etc. We provide a learning opportunity on a variety of topics in which our patients have an interest.

Youth Transplant Kamp is a specialized camp for children ages 8-17 who have undergone heart, liver, lung, or kidney transplants. This camp helps to create a support network and a community of friendship among children who have had similar life experiences with organ transplantation and have experienced feelings of being socially isolated from their peers because of their medical challenges. The goal of the camp is to help young transplant recipients gain greater independence, confidence, and self-esteem through their participation in outdoor adventures and experiences such as horseback riding, hiking, swimming and ropes course.