American Kidney Fund Experiences Record Numbers of Calls to Help Line

American Kidney Fund
Tuesday, 21 August 2001

The American Kidney Fund's (AKF) national toll-free Help Line (and its e-mail counterpart) is now logging about 1,000 inquiries per month. Most of the calls are from kidney patients and their families seeking information about treatment, emotional adjustment issues and community resources. More than 370,000 Americans have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), more commonly known as kidney failure, and about 100,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. People with ESRD must receive kidney dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant in order to stay alive.

"Most of the questions we field on the Help Line deal with dialysis treatment, insurance coverage, income support, and employment issues," noted AKF Executive Director Karen Sendelback. She added, "Other questions are more complicated; 'Should I tell others about my illness, am I responsible for my child's kidney failure?' Sometimes callers feel isolated, angry, or frustrated. They are looking for support and reliable information."

Callers to AKF's Help Line (800.638.8299) are often new to treatment, or have not yet begun dialysis and want help, but simply do not know how to seek it. Those who are in emotional pain often find that it is easier to express it through an anonymous phone call.

E-mail (helpline@akfinc.org) contacts comprise about 15% of AKF's Help Line inquiries. As more people gain access to the Internet, the number is expected to increase.

"AKF expects to see the number of kidney patients rise, but based on our experience with the Help Line, we know that many of these patients will be resourceful, independent, and highly motivated to expand their understanding of kidney disease and to improve their quality of life," Sendelback concluded.

For more information, or to contact American Kidney Fund, see their website at: www.akfinc.org