INSIDE GRENADA FRIDAY December 21, 2007 by Wallace J.A GRENADA: The Grenada National Patient Kidney Foundation (GNPKF) is currently on a drive to raise much needed funds to help supplement the fees for dialysis patients residing in Grenada. The Foundation was organized in May 2007 and is now a registered non-governmental organization (97 of 2007, # 6091). The Foundation is made up of Mr. Michael Miller, President; Mrs. Cherril Pascal (both are kidney dialysis patients); Ms Yolande Jessamy (Lecturer in History of Medicine, formerly lectured in Nephrology and Adult Hematology at Oxford), three members of Grace Lutheran Church, Mrs. Joyce Radloff, Mrs. Jean England and Mrs. Heather Sylvester, and Mrs. Candia Alleyne (Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, and wife of a patient) and Mrs. Phyllis Joseph, Social Worker at the hospital. Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body's natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, the treatment removes waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, while maintaining the proper chemical balance of the blood. Dialysis is most commonly prescribed for patients with temporary or permanent kidney failure. People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have kidneys that are no longer capable of adequately removing fluids and wastes from their body or of maintaining the proper level of certain kidney-regulated chemicals in the bloodstream. For these individuals, dialysis is the only treatment option available outside of kidney transplantation. Apart from raising funds to assist patients who are receiving dialysis treatment, the organization also seeks to sensitize and educate the general public about the dangers of kidney disease and diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure. It is hoped that many persons can learn how to modify their life style, especially with regards to diet, nutrition and exercise, so that they can avoid this consequence and improve quality of life. The cost of dialysis treatment at present is EC $ 665.00 per session. The dialysis patient should ideally have three sessions per week which means that the actual monthly cost for treatment is EC $ 8645.00 or US $ 3237.83. The amount of money required for these treatments is way out of the reach of the average Grenadian, which has led to a crisis situation with respect to dialysis treatment – because they cannot dialyze unless they bring the money with them, and they do not have the money. The Government of Grenada, as well as some charitable groups and individuals, has offered some assistance but the help is just not adequate. It is primarily against this background that the GNPKF was formed – to offer critical financial support to kidney dialysis patients so that they can continue to receive the essential treatment needed to live longer, productive lives. In the past, a number of persons (different sex and age groups) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have died because they could not afford the high cost of treatment. According to the Foundation, apart from the persons that are presently being dialyzed, there are about 40 persons who might end up needing dialysis. GNPKF is therefore appealing to the public (individuals, groups and organizations) to help preserve life, the most precious gift that we enjoy. A small donation by individuals can go a very long way in helping kidney patients, or in lieu of that, persons can make a commitment to make a standard contribution (however small) monthly or annually towards the cost of dialysis treatment. Cheques can be made out to the GRENADA NATIONAL PATIENT KIDNEY FOUNDATION, P.O. Box 148, St. George’s, Grenada. There are two bank accounts set up at present where donors can deposit money. The first is at the Grenada Co-op Bank, Account # 400000574, and the other is at RBTT Bank, RBTT 745-7500. GNPKF wishes to thank all those who have been supporting the Foundation so far, especially kidney groups around the island, for their generous support and wish them a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. There is now a website where you can read more about the GNPKF. Log on to www.grenadakidneypatients.com