KEOP Screenings

On September 12, 2008 I boarded the van to travel down to Clinton, NC to take part in the UNC Kidney Center's screening. This took place at a health fair hosted by the Clinton Drug Company in their parking lot on Beamon Street.

I am from Clinton, NC. Growing up in Clinton, NC simply means that every body knows everybody else or "who their people are," as we commonly say. Having graduated from UNC-CH and going back to Clinton afforded me the opportunity to help give back to those who had given so much for me. Through participating in the screenings, I reunited with teachers I haven't seen since middle school, family, and friends.

More importantly, I am familiar with health care options in Clinton, NC, especially for those with a kidney disease. My father and others have Polycystic Kidney Disease. He having a late diagnosis and seeing the phases of the disease manifested in his life has made me an advocate for kidney screenings. With the improvements in treatments and drugs potentially being offered to help those with the disease, it's important to have people screened, especially in underserved areas where the numbers are more prevalent. Grabbing my clip board and going through the routine of questions that Friday was not a chore at all for me rather, a delight.

I appreciate having had the experience of talking sometimes personally and sometimes to strangers of the importance of having this screening. The sun was hot and my throat did get a little dry that day but, looking those individuals in the eyes as they took the steps to not only come sit next to me but to have their kidneys screened was worth every bit of it.

I look forward to doing it again.

Shawnda Herring