The Cape Kidney Association is celebrating four decades of caring and they are still going strong.
Over the years the association has helped thousands of indigent kidney patients and their families.
It was founded in 1978 by a group of nephrologists and nurses who saw the need to assist indigent kidney patients and their families with food hampers after discovering that they were not returning to the hospital for their dialysis due to lack of food and travel allowance.
Many of these patients travelled far from rural areas and there were no dialysis units located in their communities.
Kidney patients often need dialysis a number of times a week for hours at a time and some struggle to keep up with the appointments, which take a toll on the patient as well as their family.
The association offers food hampers monthly or bi-monthly to 150 patients, depending on their finances.
Molly Fabé, the association’s executive director, said they raise funds with the help of the committee and this is their only means of income.
“The association is self-funding, so it is a continuous struggle to maintain our financials, however, having said that, we have sustained ourselves for 40 years and there is no plan for the association to close its doors, but to grow from strength to strength,” said Ms Fabé.
The association will be hosting a 40th anniversary dance to celebrate their milestone as well as raise funds for their year-end food hampers, which would also include additional items like luxuries and toiletries.
They are also appealing for cyclists to participate in “Kilometres for Kidneys”, during the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Ms Fabé also appealed to companies to become involved with the association by means of donations, monetary or towards food hampers.
“Asweareself-funded,our priority needs are also great, as we have to maintain our office in order to continue our work for the indigent kidney patients and their families at the various provincial hospitals in and around the greater Western Cape,” said Ms Fabé.
The association will be hosting a 40th anniversary dance on Friday October 26 at the Wittebome civic centre, from 7pm until midnight. Tickets cost R150. To RSVP, email to reception.capekidney@xsinet.co.za or visit their website www.capekidney.org.zaorFacebook page.
* Kidneys are an important organ of the body because they filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing waste and extra water to make urine.
They also help filter blood before sending it back to the heart. To protect your kidneys, drink plenty of water to flush out toxins. Eat a healthy diet and maintain a good exercise routine.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Two main factors of kidney failure is blood pressure and diabetes.
