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Patient Resources Education Kidney Health Screenings


To ensure the safety of participants, event attendees and our staff, the American Kidney Fund has suspended all kidney health screenings until further notice due to the recent outbreak of the coronavirus. We hope this suspension will be brief, as we are very committed to our outreach efforts to increase awareness and prevent kidney disease in communities across the nation.

The American Kidney Fund’s Know Your Kidneys™ program offers free health screenings, nutrition and fitness presentations, follow-up services and top-rated public education materials. We conduct screenings at a variety of venues, including churches, expositions and festivals, dialysis centers, community centers, colleges and corporate offices. We can work with you to organize a screening event for your organization.

A highlight of our Know Your Kidneys™ program is Kidney Action Day® which is held in cites around the U.S. where rates of kidney disease are higher than the national average. Kidney Action Day is a free event for the community, offering kidney health screenings, education, entertainment, and cooking and fitness demonstrations.

Find an AKF screening

To ensure the safety of participants, event attendees and our staff, the American Kidney Fund has suspended all kidney health screenings until further notice due to the recent outbreak of the coronavirus. We hope this suspension will be brief, as we are very committed to our outreach efforts to increase awareness and prevent kidney disease in communities across the nation.

In the meantime, we hope you'll take this opportunity to learn more about kidney disease and how to prevent it by exploring the topics below on our website. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease or other risk factors, be sure to ask your doctor to check your kidney health at your next checkup.

  •  Tests for kidney health
  •  Kidney-friendly diet
  •  Controlling diabetes
  •  Controlling high blood pressure
     

Kidney Action Day

Our signature outreach event, Kidney Action Day, is held in cities where rates of kidney disease are higher than the national average.

Kidney Action Day is a free, fun-filled, family-friendly event with a serious purpose: helping people understand their risk for kidney disease and how to prevent it. Watch a video highlighting who attends Kidney Action Day, what occurs at Kidney Action Day, the importance of attending Kidney Action Day, and how you can become involved with the American Kidney Fund.

About AKF screenings

We provide free community kidney health screenings at a variety of venues, including places of worship, dialysis centers, community centers, colleges and corporate offices. Screenings are open to anyone aged 18 and older. Click here to find a screening near you!

What happens at a screening?

One or more tests could be offered at your free screening*:

  •  Blood pressure check
  •  Glucose – finger stick
  •  eGFR (kidney function) – blood draw

*Some tests may vary depending on screening location. See our screening schedule in your city for specific tests being offered at each screening.

Preparing for the screening

If you are planning to participate in one of our screenings that includes a blood draw or glucose test, you should not eat or drink anything except water for at least eight hours before the screening. This will allow you to get more accurate test results. While you are fasting, you should continue to drink plenty of water and take all medicines as your doctor tells you to.

*If you are diabetic or pregnant, do not fast. Continue eating your normal diet.
 

Getting your test results

You will find out your blood pressure right away. If your screening is offering instant finger-stick glucose, you will also have those results right away. Not every location offers this test.

If you participate in a blood draw, you will receive your results in the mail 2-3 weeks after the screening. You will also receive from the American Kidney Fund a summary report of your kidney screening results, along with more information about kidney health.