Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Partners with the National Kidney Foundation to Fight Kidney Disease

    ATLANTA, GA, February 14, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Georgia State Organization of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, is partnering with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) to advance the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease in the State of Georgia.

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is committed to improving health outcomes for the State of Georgia by providing educational opportunities focusing on the prevention and diagnosis of Kidney Disease.

"Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure," said Craig Jackson, State President. "We are honored to partner with the National Kidney Foundation, and hope that our efforts will encourage more people to get their kidneys checked."

NKF's Your Kidneys and You program is a free training to educate others about kidney health. Each graduate and undergraduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi will provide a primary and secondary contact to be trained as a facilitator for the program. Additionally, Omega Psi Phi will support multiple NKF events in 2016 including the Atlanta Kidney Walk and NKF Golf Classic. The partnership will culminate in 2016 with a large health fair to be held in Macon at the annual state meeting in October. Omega Psi Phi's goal is for this to be the largest health fair offered in Macon.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined each year. African Americans suffer from kidney failure at a significantly higher rate than Caucasians - more than 3 times higher. Additionally, approximately 4.9 million African Americans over 20 years of age are living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.

"Omega Psi Phi's support is vital," said Jil Dubbs, Program Manager. "It will help us to catch kidney disease early, spread awareness to at-risk individuals, and provide a platform for us to educate a younger population. This is an important partnership that will positively impact thousands of Georgia residents in the coming months."

Kidney Disease Facts:

- 1 in 3 American adults is at high risk for developing kidney disease today.
- High blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure and being over 60 are major risk factors for developing kidney disease.
- 1 in 9 American adults has kidney disease -- and most don't know it.
- Early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease.
- Kidney disease risk can be reduced by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, quitting smoking, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive use of pain medications.

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.

The Georgia State Organization of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was established in 1963 and incorporated in 1980. Since that time, Georgia, which comprises 48 chapters and more than 1,800 active members, has established itself as the largest and most productive state organization within the 7th District. This district also comprises the states of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Through its myriad of programs, hundreds of youth from throughout the State of Georgia have received financial assistance, competed in the annual state wide talent hunt program, and gone on to attend colleges or universities throughout the state and this nation.

The Georgia State Organization recognizes the positive achievement of others and is involved in the community through blood drives, health fairs, food drives, clothes drives, environmental and community clean-up activities, and tutorial programs. We mentor disadvantaged young males, we nurture the elderly, we assist in providing housing for disadvantaged persons, and we raise funds for scholarships and educational foundations. The State Organization comprises dedicated Omega Men committed to helping the disadvantaged improve their quality of life by uplifting the less fortunate and providing hope wherever and whenever we can. In Omega "We Continue To Lift As We Climb." For more information visit http://www.opp-ga.org/

Name: Jil Dubbs
Phone: 770.452.1539 x 604
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @NKF
www.kidney.org

# # #