Bexar County launches free kidney screenings today
The Silent But Deadly campaign launched by Texas Kidney Foundation (TKF) encourages our community to get screened for kidney disease. Early detection can help save lives. TKF in partnership with Bexar County and University Health is launching a first-time free kidney screening initiative that will provide free in-person kidney screenings at University Health locations in all four Bexar County Precincts, beginning at 10 a.m. today at the Texas Diabetes Institute, 701 S. Zarzamora.
"It is time to address the need for early detection of kidney disease. It has not received the attention it needs and most importantly we will save lives and that is paramount, said Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner Precinct 4. “The leadership of Bexar County is committed to support this important initiative," Calvert said.
Statistics show that 8 of 10 people with kidney disease are unaware that they have it, because it does not show symptoms until advanced stages. The campaign theme, "Silent But Deadly" is intended to bring awareness and motivate individuals and families to act now with the Free Kidney Screening program.
"This is an unprecedented time and together with Bexar County and University Health, we are creating a movement to change behavior and get screened regularly for kidney disease," said Tiffany Jones-Smith, president, and CEO of Texas Kidney Foundation. “We must make kidney screening a way of life," Jones-Smith said.
University Health will serve as a hub for the free kidney screenings at key locations in each of the four Bexar County precincts. The screenings will be conducted on a rotating basis through the end of 2022. Complementing this community outreach, the YMCA will also conduct free kidney screenings at key locations across the city. For more information on screening locations and dates, visit txkidney.org.
"University Health is pleased to partner with the Texas Kidney Foundation and Bexar County to offer our sites for these free kidney screenings, which will help save lives," said Theresa De La Haya, University Health’s Senior Vice President of Community Health & Clinical Prevention Programs. "This initiative is a natural partner to our University Health campaign for change, because every day is a new chance for our community to invest in their health."
Texas Kidney Foundation will also provide free at-home kidney screening kits for individuals who prefer an at-home kidney screening test. The innovative technology for at-home kidney screening kits is the product of Healthy.IO, a technology company based in Israel who donated over 10,000 kits for distribution, 8,000 of which will be used in the Bexar County initiative. To order a kidney screening kit, visit txkidney.org and answer questions to the kidney quiz to determine your risk for kidney disease.
