I’ve posted before but with the new faces thought I’d post again

[Blackknight1989]

This is from the Texas Kidney Foundation an organization I ran across on Linkedin. I was completely unfamiliar with them three months ago but intrigued by the offer of free in-home testing and results by their organization. Since I initially found this information I have researched the organization and they were formed in 2011 when the NKF closed their Southwest Texas office in San Antonio. I have reviewed all the IRS form 990s and nearly 90% of revenues goes to support their mission of testing, educating and helping identify folks who may have CKD at the earliest possible moment. All incomes, revenues and monies come from grants or donations. The board consists of 12 independent folks including nurses, doctors and other medical professionals, health care advocates and volunteers. With revenues of over 1.2M last year the only executive or board members paid was the full-time CEO and she made $85,000.

I could find no geographic limit to the offer of the free in-home test kits so I thought I’d share if you or someone you know needs some support to get treated or open the doctors eyes to get a nephrologist here is an option. Further, if you have a loved one who may be at risk but won’t get tested, or can’t afford the tests again this would be an alternative. I have no ties and I am not a member or volunteer. I am just sharing what I found. Link:

txkidney.org/silent-but-dea...

Link to their main site:

txkidney.org/

[drmind]

This sounds interesting. Have you tried it or has anyone else tried it. If so, can you share your experiences with this program. Thanks

[Blackknight1989 in reply to drmind]

I have not tried the in-home test. However, the website says they have given out hundreds helping those at risk find CKD with their free analysis of the results.

[drmind in reply to Blackknight1989]

Thanks for the information. I hesitate getting involved right now because I do get lab results often, but it certainly sounds as if it may be a great idea for someone who doesn't. However, I also feel caution should be used as it could lead to too much focus on day to day results and not important issues such as diets, exercise, medical appointments, etc. And, if information obtained was incorrext , it could be damaging to some. Thanks again.

[Blackknight1989]

Completely agree. It is a way for those who are “at risk” due to HBP, diabetes and other causes to get a test if their primary can’t or won’t test them or if the tests are unaffordable to them. The agency encourages follow-up with their primary care doc and/or a specialist if the at-home test come back as positive for CKD. Additionally, they caution that their at-home test isn’t as reliable as a lab their doctor uses thus the strong advice to follow-up. But, given the ignorance and/or laziness of primary care doctors not testing their at risk patients this offers a no cost way to circumvent the lack of proper care by their primary care doctors and test themselves to see if they have it, find it at a higher level and have some credibility when addressing their CKD concern with their primary care doctors post test.

[drmind in reply to Blackknight1989]

Sounds good. Thanks for clarifying some of the issues.