2007 News 

  


 

11/12/2007

Mobile Outreach Unit Arrives at UNC- UNC Kidney Center Celebrates with Dedication Ceremony and Luncheon

On Friday, November 9, the UNC Kidney Center celebrated its new mobile outreach unit with a luncheon and dedication ceremony, which was highlighted by the debut of the new 39-foot mobile outreach unit (MOU) on exhibit outside the UNC Hospitals. The festivities brought together more than 100 UNC Kidney Center supporters, community partners, patients and employees.

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Guests at the luncheon at the UNC Kidney Center in the Burnett-Womack Building.

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Pictured: Richard Morgan, Former Speaker of the House, NC General Assembly, Senator William Purcell, Dean William Roper

Following the luncheon, the dedication began in the lobby of the Children's Hospital. Speakers included Senator Ed Jones of NC District 4, Senator William Purcell of NC District 25, Dr. Bill Roper, Dean of School of Medicine and CEO of UNC Health Care, and Dr. Ronald Falk, the Director of the UNC Kidney Center and Chief of the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Senator Jones cited transportation as a major barrier to preventive health care for low-income citizens in the counties which he represents, and explained that the MOU will help overcome that obstacle for many citizens in rural North Carolina. Senator Purcell described the value of the Kidney Education Outreach Program (KEOP) in his district and praised the teamwork of the UNC Kidney Center with local health resources and lay leaders in his district.

The 39-foot truck will enable KEOP to screen and provide education about chronic kidney disease to more communities in North Carolina. The MOU is equipped with a fully functional exam room, 2 restrooms and a common area. This will be used for screenings for kidney disease and will also be available for patient counseling and educational sessions

Dr. Falk emphasized not only the truck's importance to reach North Carolina citizens that have not historically been reached, but the symbolic message that the truck will also deliver to all,"of Carolina going out" into the community to help those in need.

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Pictured: Dr. Ronald Falk

Following the dedication, guests congregated outside the hospital to tour the MOU and to view the UNC-Kidney Center-sponsorerd dragster, owned by two-time transplant recipient Tommy Arthur and driver, Jay Zimmerman. To the delight of the crowd, Dr. Roper got behind the wheel of the red dragster and had a chance to rev the engine.

Pictured: Essie Newsome, citizen of Mongomery County

For more information about the Kidney Education Outreach program, please visit http://www.unckidneycenter.org/outreach.htm. If you are interested in sponsoring an information session in your community, or in partnering with the UNCKC to encourage citizens and primary care physicains to become better informed about kidney disease, please contact Donna Harward, the Director of Education for the UNC Kidney Center at dhh@med.unc.edu or 919-966-2561 ext. 300, or toll-free 866-259-2230.

View the design sketch of the Mobile Outreach Unit.

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10/22/2007

Register Now! NC Vasculitis Support Group Fall Meeting

The North Carolina/Raleigh Chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation will have its Fall Support Group meeting in Durham, NC on Saturday, December 1st.

Please click HERE for the agenda and registration info.

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10/9/2007

Flu Season Is Approaching Fast!

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. October and November are the best months to receive a flu vaccination.

Every year in the United States, on average:

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, including diabetes, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

The flu vaccine is recoomended for kidney patients, including those with end-stage kidney disease. If you have Medicare Part B, you can get a Flu Vaccine for free.

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9/18/2007

6th Annual NC Fun Ride for Wegener’s Raises Over $9,000 For Vasculitis Research, Awareness and Support

On Saturday, September 8, 2007 over 50 motorcycles and more than 100 people participated in the 6th Annual NC Fun Ride for Wegener’s in Burlington, NC. This year’s NC Fun Ride raised over $9,000. Since 2002 the Fun Rides have raised over $65,000 for vasculitis research, awareness and support funded through the Vasculitis Foundation.

Motorcycles leaving for the ride.

Danette Anderson, NC Fun Ride organizer, extends a warm thank you to all the participants, those who donated items, and the volunteers, including many vasculitis patients and their family members, who helped make this year’s ride great fun and a wonderful success.

Danette Anderson, NC Fun Ride organizer, and her husband
Randy lead the way.

Volunteers sell tickets and
staff silent auction.

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8/20/2007

KEOP Screens Bertie County Seniors

On Wednesday, July 11th, the KEOP, in partnership with the Council on Aging, conducted its first Bertie County screening. Eighty citizens were screened at the Senior Citizens’ Center and the KEOP team of Donna Harward, Suzie Hosman and Caroline Jennette were delighted to be joined by volunteers Michael Brown and Kristine Falk. Space at the center was at a premium and Venita Thompson, Director of the Council on Aging, did a masterful job of accommodating our group without disrupting the regularly scheduled activities. In fact, the KEOP team enjoyed the sounds of country-rock that accompanied the seniors’ line-dancing class. Bertie seniors know how to have fun while keeping fit!

Kristine Falk enrolls two Bertie County seniors

Michael Brown administers a screening survey

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7/30/2007

Save The Date! 6th Annual Fun Ride for Wegeners

Date: Saturday, September 8, 2007
Location: Break Zone Billiards, Burlington,NC
Registration begins at 11:00am; Riders leaving at 1:00pm

Hop on your boss hog and ride to support the Vascultis Foundation. Non-riders can enjoy live music, food, door prizes, a silent auction, and poker! All proceeds will go to the Vasculitis Foundation for research, awareness, and support.

Click HERE for the Fun Ride Flyer
For more information, check out http://ncfunride.info or call (336) 227-6800

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7/16/2007

REGISTER NOW! 1st Annual UNC Kidney Center Golf Tournament: Saturday, September 15th, 2007


On Saturday, September 15, the Penrose Park County Club in Reidsville, North Carolina, will host the first annual UNCKC Charity Golf Tournament. The Donald Ross designed course will host 26 teams, 13 at the shotgun 8:30 AM start, and another 13 teams at the 1:30 PM shotgun start. Four-person captains choice teams will compete for prizes awarded to first, second, third and fourth place finishes for the morning and afternoon teams.

Any hole in one will win a car and the longest drive and closest to the pin prizes will be awarded to both teams. The field will be limited to 26 teams.

To register a team ($200.00) or be a sponsor ($300, one four-person team and a sign on the leader board) call (336) 349-4507.

Proceeds benefit the UNC Kidney Center’s Kidney Education Outreach Program (KEOP).

Check out the review of this course from Golflink

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6/28/2007

New Publication Available on The Burden of Kidney Disease in North Carolina

Investigators at the UNC Kidney Center, funded by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, recently reported on "The Burden of Kidney Disease in North Carolina, 2007". This document is a compilation of current, publicly available data from the NC State Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Renal Data System. This publication will initially be given to members of the NC- CKD Task Force, each state health department in the United States and to the CDC Diabetes and CKD sections. They will also be distributed at the NC Academy of Family Physicians conference in November.

Click here for a copy (PDF)

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6/13/2007

Renal Support Network Announces KidneyTimes.com Essay Contest for Kidney Patients

Attention writers! People with kidney disease are encouraged to submit their stories to KidneyTimes.com. The theme of the contest is “Aspirations for the Future, What Gives You Hope”. There are cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100 for the first three entries and all winners will be featured on the front page of KidneyTimes.com and featured in RSN’s publication Live & Give. 750-word submissions are due August 31, and can be sent by email, regular mail, or fax.

Click here for official contest rules

Click here for the Renal Support Network Website

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6/4/2007

22nd Annual GDCN Meeting Wrap-up

In May, nephrologists from the southern states met to hear presentations about current concepts related to the genetics of Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis (FSGS) , new concepts and uses for genetic testing, microarray testing and proteomic testing performed at UNC, and how this testing translates into clinical practice, and new information regarding the pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy.

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Dr. James McCabe from Southeastern Nephrology Associates in Wilmington, NC, and Dr. Richard Fox from Carolina Nephrology Associates, PA, in Greensboro, NC were two of this year's attendees.

The annual continuing medical education course that is offered through the Annual Meeting of the GDCN provides a unique learning opportunity for nephrologists. This is the only course in the southeastern United States, if not the nation, that offers in-depth updates on epidemiology, clinical course and therapeutic options on a variety of glomerular diseases. Although other topical issues in nephrology are occasionally offered, overall the course focuses on glomerular diseases.

This year's guest speaker was Martin Pollak, MD, a faculty member in Harvard University's Department of Genetics, who gave a talk on the genetics of FSGS.

For more information on the GDCN, please click HERE
For information on glomerular disease, click HERE

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5/18/2007

Save The Date! First Annual UNCKC Golf Tournament

On September 15th, 2007, the Penrose Park Country Club in Reidsville, NC, will host the first annual UNCKC Golf Tournament. Organized by Jay Zimmerman, co-owner of the A&Z Motorsports, the tournament will provide another opportunity to raise citizens’ awareness about the importance of being screened for chronic kidney disease before clinical symptoms are apparent.

If you are interested in hosting a fund raising event in your community, please contact Suzie Hosman (919) 966-2561 ext 311.

And remember to ask…HEY DOC, HOW ARE MY KIDNEYS? TM

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5/17/2007

KEOP Benefits from Community-Based Fund Raising and Awareness Activities


The second annual Kidney Kare Run/Walk, on Saturday, March 24th, took place under clear, Carolina blue skies. 313 registered participants were greeted by local citizens retrieving their morning papers along the pleasant, neighborhood course. Suzie Hosman, development officer for the Kidney Center and race organizer, reported that a tally of registration fees and donations came to more than $17,000 for the Kidney Education Outreach Program.

The Race Begins!

Carolina Tar Heel cookies, based by Nephrology Fellow and accomplished baker, Dr. Karin True, were the most popular post-run, snack.  Medals were awarded to the first overall and master’s overall and to the top 3 finishers (male and female) in five-year age groups. The overall first place winner was William Bunch, with a time of   18:40.                    .

Tommy Arthur, two-time kidney transplant recipient and co-owner of A&Z Motorsports, and his daughter, Keri, displayed their 2000 Pontiac Firebird and let Drs. Ron Falk and Randy Detwiler other participants experience the view from the driver’s seat.

          

Dr. Ron Falk likes his new wheels!

     

Dr. Randy Detwiler gets a new perspective on driving!

   

Tommy Arthur, two-time transplant recipient and co-owner of  the A&Z Sportsman Racing Team, awarded the medals.

 The Kidney Kare Run/Walk exemplifies effective community-based awareness outreach. Walkers and runners competed on behalf of friends and family members and raised funds to help the KEOP screen North Carolinians at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Several transplant donors and recipients participated this year and we plan to emphasize this aspect of the event next year.

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5/2/2007

Register Now! North Carolina Vasculitis Support Group Meeting

The North Carolina/Raleigh Chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation will have its Spring Support Group meeting in Durham, NC on Saturday, May 12th.
Please click HERE for the agenda and registration info.

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4/16/2007

April is National "Donate Life" Month

National Donate Life Month was established in 2003. Every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors and to encourage more Americans to follow their fine example.

What you can do today:

Quick Facts

For more information, visit www.organdonor.gov

Other Sites to check out:

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3/28/2007

2nd Annual Kidney Care Run Raises over $9000 for the Kidney Education Outreach Program!

On Saturday, March 24th, over 300 people participated in the 2nd Annual Kidney Kare 5k Run/Walk in Carrboro, NC. The UNCKC Raised over $9,000 to benefit the Kidney Education Outreach Program (KEOP). The race was sponsored, in part, with help from Amgen, Fleet Feet Sports, Abbott Labs, Genzyme, UNC Wellness Centers, Roche, Astellas, the Open Eye Café, and the American Association of Nephrology Nurses. A big thank you to all of our sponsors and participants. All money raised from the race will be used to support the UNC Kidney Center's community outreach efforts.

The overall winner, William Bunch, crosses the finish line Beverly Vaillancourt, Mary Anne Dooley, and Barbara Atz
Suzie Hosman (race organizer, far right) with UNC Kidney Center staff and volunteeers

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3/12/2007

Dr. Abhi Kshirsagar's new chronic kidney disease scoring system mentioned on the CBS Early Show.

Click here to view the broadcast and read the accompanying article on the scoring system that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Article Citation:
Bang H, Vupputuri S, Shoham DA, Klemmer PJ, Falk RJ, Mazumdar M, Gipson D, Colindres RE, Kshirsagar AV. SCreening for Occult REnal Disease (SCORED): A Simple Prediction Model for Chronic Kidney Disease. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:374-81.

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3/4/2007

KEOP Participates in the 7th Annual Health Fair for the Latino Community in Chapel Hill, NC

On Sunday, March 4th, the KEOP screened participants at the 7th Annual Feria de la Salud, or Health Fair for the Latino Community, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the St. Thomas More gymnasium.

This year the fair focused on early detection and prevention of disease and offered screenings for kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, hearing, vision, dental, HIV and nutrition. The fair also offered free vaccines and instructional sessions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children, drivers' education and how to prevent scams.

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Kidney Kare Run 2007 :
Enrollment Now Open!

Join us for the second annual Kidney Kare 5k run/walk on Saturday, March 24th, 2007. The 5k  course will wind it’sway through Carrboro, starting and finishing at McDougle Middle School. All proceeds benefit the UNCKC's Kidney Education Outreach Program.

Come walk and run with the UNC Kidney Center and help us reduce the presence and burden of kidney disease in North Carolina!

 

Race Sponsors:

 

Contributing Sponsors:

Balloons and Tunes Carrboro

Townsend Bertram & Company

Katie's Soft  
Pretzels

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2/14/2007

February 14th is National Donor Day

What you can do today:

Quick Facts

National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations.

Sources: www.organdonor.gov, Roche

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1/31/2007

UNCKC receives $3500 donation from the A & Z Race Team

Greensboro, NC – The Greensboro Coliseum hosted the fifth annual Shriners’ Drag Racing and Hot Rod Exposition on January 26-28th. The Kidney Center sponsored an awareness booth during the three-day expo and received a $3500 contribution for the Kidney Education Outreach Program from the A & Z Racing Team owners, Tommy Arthur and Jay Zimmerman.

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1/29/2007

National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina's Summer Camp for Kidney Kids: Register Now!

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