- An uncomfortable truth about kidney disease is that minority populations such as African-Americans and vulnerable communities such as senior citizens are more susceptible to kidney problems. The case in regard to African-American communities is particularly startling. Even though they make up only about 13 percent of the U.S. population, African-Americans represent a third of Americans with kidney failure.
- Obtaining a kidney transplant is one of two options available to people whose kidneys are failing. Today there are more than 100,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States, with a new person being added to that list every 14 seconds. About 17,000 transplant surgeries take place each year, and so the waiting list continues to grow, according to statistics from the National Kidney Foundation.
- Most of those waiting on a kidney transplant therefore require dialysis treatment, the second of the two treatment options. Dialysis is the process of removing waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can’t. For those awaiting a kidney transplant, dialysis is a regular part of life, often having to be performed three or more times a week. It is crucial for their survival.