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MarCap Donates to American Kidney Fund's Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Program American Kidney Fund’s Disaster Relief Program Disburses Over $200K; Rockville, MD - December 21, 2005 - The American Kidney Fund has given emergency financial assistance to more than 5,000 Gulf Coast dialysis patients since early September, and new requests for disaster relief are coming in daily. Following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, contributors nationwide generously donated $231,000 to the American Kidney Fund’s Disaster Relief Program. The American Kidney Fund has so far disbursed $204,000 of those contributions to dialysis patients affected by the hurricanes. Without additional contributions, the Disaster Relief Program will likely run out of money in a few weeks. "We are enormously grateful to the many contributors whose generosity has made it possible for us to respond effectively to this ongoing crisis," said LaVarne A. Burton, CEO. "We will continue to provide grants as long as there is money in our Disaster Relief Program, and we are hopeful that individuals and corporations around the nation will consider giving to this worthy cause." The American Kidney Fund, the nation’s #1 source of direct financial aid to kidney patients in need, established its Disaster Relief Program over a decade ago, but the past three months have proven an unprecedented challenge. Social workers at more than 250 dialysis centers in 12 states have submitted requests for emergency aid for their patients from the Gulf Coast region. Many of the requests are to help patients pay for transportation to and from dialysis treatment. For people who rely on dialysis treatments three times a week to survive, transportation is a basic necessity and can be costly, especially for those who live far from a dialysis center. Transportation costs are overwhelming for many of those who suffered great loss in the hurricanes. In addition to using the grants to pay for transportation, patients have used grants to replace lost medications; to pay for the special foods needed in a renal diet; to pay for shelter; and to replace household necessities. The American Kidney Fund has been able to respond to the Gulf Coast disaster thanks to generous contributions from Amgen, American Society of Nephrology, Genzyme, MarCap Corporation, Associates in Nephrology, Belmont Court Dialysis, Dialysis Corporation of America, Direct Marketing Association, Central Massachusetts Dialysis Group, Renal & Electrolyte Associates, and many caring individuals. The Disaster Relief Program application process is simple. Social workers or dialysis centers with patients in need may call the Fund’s Patient Services Department at 800.638.8299 or visit www.kidneyfund.org for information on how to apply. The Fund works to review all requests quickly and then sends a check via overnight delivery. Most grant requests are processed within 24 hours. Anyone wishing to contribute to disaster relief for dialysis patients may visit www.kidneyfund.org to make an online contribution. In addition, contributions are accepted via telephone at 800.638.8299. Checks may be mailed to American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. Please indicate in the memo line that the contribution is for disaster relief. All contributions to the Disaster Relief Program go directly to patients in need of disaster assistance. The American Kidney Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions are fully tax-deductible under law. The American Kidney Fund provides direct financial assistance to kidney patients in need and education for those with and at risk for kidney disease. Through its programs, the Fund seeks to address many of the underlying systemic needs of the poor and underserved, including access to medical care, medications, health coverage and diagnostic and treatment disparities. Ninety-five cents of every dollar the Fund spends goes directly to programs and services for kidney patients. The Fund has been named a Gold Star Charity by Forbes Magazine, one of America’s Best Charities by Reader’s Digest, and has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for the past five years in a row. Visit www.kidneyfund.org for more information.
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