Does your chili rock? Do you like it  hot, spicy or strictly vegetarian? Regardless, the event is for chili lovers everywhere! Don’t miss out on the chance to compete or appreciate. As always, for a very worthy cause.

On October 11th, Stratton Mountain will be the site of the “Bridge the Gap” marathon, an event dedicated to Bridgette Eichhorn. Starting at 9:30 A.M. will be a run on the lower level of the mountain, followed by a race to the summit at 9:45 A.M. Be sure to bring your own water, because it will only be available on the start and finish lines.

On October 31st, SUNY Oneonta will be the starting point for the “Oneonta Kidney Walk”. This will be the fourth walk of the year following huge successes in Albany, Plattsburg and Glens Falls. Already this year these quick, healthy and fun events have raised over $200,000. Come out on Halloween for another great day, helping a worthy cause.

On November 15th, the Troy Atrium will host the second annual “Chili Challenge” from 1 P.M.-5 P.M. The NKFNENY is teaming up with the New York Alzheimer’s Association for the event with restaurants from all across the Capitol Region providing some of the most delicious chili around. Both organizations are still looking for more sponsors and participants. More information can be found at nkfneny.org.

Finally, a thank you to all of the sponsors, foursome sponsors and other individuals involved in making the 2009 National Kidney Foundation’s Golf Classic another tremendous success. Over $70,000 was raised on September 14th, only adding to what has become the largest amateur golf event in the world.  

Come out this fall to any or all of the events and take an active role in continued Kidney research and awareness.

To join the call, dial toll-free: 888-603-9220
Pass code: KIDNEY

Registration is required. Please complete the online registration, http://www.kidney.org/members/source/events/event.cfm?event=CH_090713

Want to hear previous calls? Visit http://www.kidney.org/coffeehouse to learn about other topics that may be of interest to you.

Any questions? Call us at 1-800-622-9010, or email us at coffeehouse@kidney.org

Thank you for your interest, feedback and participation!

National Kidney Foundation

Coffee House Conversation Team

The Dreamgirls Preview Performance will consist of a pre-show gala at 6:30pm and a preview performance at 8:00pm. The cost is $30 for the pre-show gala and show and just $10 for the show alone. Dreamgirls Preview Performance tickets can be purchased by phone or at the Cohoes Music Hall Box Office at 58 Remsen Street in Cohoes, NY and will benefit those living with kidney disease, a disease that affects one in nine people. The regular season-opening Dreamgirls production will run from September 10 to 27, 2009 at Cohoes Music Hall.

The National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information on the National Kidney Foundation or any upcoming events, visit www.nkfneny.org. To purchase tickets for the Dreamgirls Preview Performance pre-show gala and show, visit www.cohoesmusichall.com or call (518) 237-5858.

You may have heard of a new Federal program called “Cash for Clunkers” -now set to go into affect around July 24. The program offers used car owners $3,500 to $4,500 if they trade in their gas guzzling vehicles for new ones that are safer, more fuel efficient, and cause less pollution. Supporters of the program claim that aside from the environmental benefits it will result in, it will also help struggling auto dealers such as Chrysler and GM boost sales.

In order for you to qualify for the voucher (which by the way, would not be sent to you directly, but as an electronic transfer to the dealership you would purchase your new car from) your “clunker” must be registered and in use for at least a year and have a combined city/highway fuel –economy rating of 18 or less MPG.  Your used car can then be traded in for a new car priced at $45,000 or less, and if it is rated 4 MPG or better, the voucher awarded would be $3,500. If your new car gets at least 10 MPG or better than the old, the voucher awarded would be$ 4,500.

If you own a truck, SUV or van, the rules are more complicated. For details see, USA Today article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-05-11-chrysler-gm-cash-clunkers_N.htm

Though “Cash for Clunkers” seems appealing to some used car dealers looking to trade their lemons in for a brand new ride, it is not the only reasonable option for people looking to rid of their old car, and for used car owners experiencing economic hardship, the voucher may not help their situation anyhow.

As an alternative to the controversial “Clunkers” program, the National Kidney Foundation offers “Kidney Cars”, a fast and easy way for people to dispose of their unwanted vehicles. The process takes only 10 minutes and can be completed online at www.kidneycars.org. Cars donated to the environmentally-friendly program are sold at auction or for parts.

Kidney Cars saves lives— from the more than 35,000 vehicles donated per year, 13 million of that goes into the Foundation’s programs in research, early detection, patient services, and education. In addition, car, van, SUV, truck and boat donors may also be able to reap some financial rewards in the form of a tax deduction, if it can be itemized on their tax return. About 84% of Americans who donate to the program are able to reap a charitable deduction.

So, considering both the Cash for Clunkers and the Kidney Cars options, if you were looking to get rid of your used vehicle, which would you be more likely to choose?

July 23, 2009       6:30pm to 9pm                  Risk Assessment Program            Bleecker Stadium

July 25, 2009       11am to 2pm                      Risk Assessment Program            YMCA –Washington Ave

Aug. 1, 2009        10am to 6pm                      Risk Assessment Program            Empire State Plaza

Aug.  14, 2009    12pm to 4pm                     Risk Assessment Program            Hometown Healthcare

Risk Assessments: The National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York will be screening individuals for hypertension and diabetes by checking their blood pressure and glucose reading.  As high blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney disease these screening allow us to indentify people who are at risk and refer them to our Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

Aug 15, 2009       12pm to 5pm                     Blood Pressure                                 Carnival on the Hill

Sept. 20, 2009    11am to 4pm                      KEEP Screening                                 State Street Presbyterian Church

Sept. 26, 2009    11am to 3pm                      KEEP Screening                                 Bleecker Stadium

Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP): The National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York will be conducting a FREE kidney screening to individuals who have risk factors which include having high blood pressure or diabetes or a family member (parents or siblings) with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease. The Free kidney screening consists of five stations including, registration, Blood Pressure & Physical Measurements, Urinalysis, Blood Draw including glucose reading, and a consult with a clinician.  Additional blood test with be done at quest diagnostics for anemia, kidney filtration rate, and cholesterol.  For more information please contact Rebecca Conklin by calling (518) 533-7883 or e-mail Rebecca@nkfneny.org

Because Healthy Kidneys are Important! http://www.nkfneny.org

It’s progress, but keep the pressure on for immunosuppressive drug extension.

Last week, House leaders issued their draft 852-page health care reform bill and it included an extension for immunosuppressive drugs.  This is great news, but must keep this provision in the House bill and push the Senate to include it in their bill as health care reform moves forward this year.

Ask your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1458.  This is the best way for your Representative to show his or her support and make sure the provision stays in the larger health care reform bill.  (If your Representative is already a co-sponsor, you will send a thank you letter.)

Organ transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the transplant to help prevent the body from rejecting the organ.  HR 1458 would extend immunosuppressive drug coverage for Medicare-eligible kidney transplant recipients for the life of the transplant.  They would not have access to other parts of Medicare, but this would ensure that they could retain Part B access to these expensive drugs.  Currently, Medicare pays for most kidney transplants but covers drugs for only 36 months post-transplant as part of the Medicare ESRD benefit.

Immunosuppressive drugs are expensive, but the alternative is even more costly.  If the kidney transplant fails, the person returns to dialysis, and Medicare spends an average of $71,000 per year on a dialysis patient.  Click here for more information.

Please keep the momentum going.  Ask your Representative today to co-sponsor HR 1458.  Share your story, or the story of a loved one, about the experience with immunosuppressive drug coverage.  Thank you!

Jayne Mardock
Congressional Relations Director

For more information, please visit the link below and let your voice be heard!

http://capwiz.com/kidney/home/

TROY NY – Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Troy Pig Out BBQ Festival in downtown Troy NY. It’s a BBQ lover’s dream! Sample different forms of barbeque from restaurants all over the northeast who will head to downtown Troy on July 18 – 19, 2009 to show off their barbeque and grilling talents.

Ready, Set, Pig Out! Troy Pig Out is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and will feature a NYS BBQ Championship, where serious barbeque contenders will go head to head for a spot in the Kansas City Barbecue Society Nationals. Winners will be chosen by certified judges in four categories: Pork, Chicken, Beef Brisket and Pork Ribs.

There will also be a Peoples Choice Competition where you get to weigh in on the results. Sample and cast your votes for the best barbeque wings and beef. Regardless of who wins or loses, there will be plenty of barbeque to go around, so go ahead and pig out!

Troy Pig Out

Date: July 18 – 19, 2009
Time: Sat: 11 am – 10 pm, Sun: 11am – 4 pm
Location: Riverfront Park, Downtown Troy NY
Cost: FREE Admission, $1 per sample

Live music, crafters, entertainment and fireworks are also on the agenda for this street festival in Riverfront Park. Front Street in Troy will be closed to traffic for the duration of the Troy Pig Out event to accommodate festival goers and competitors.

For volunteer info, please contact Alicia@nkfneny.org   We need 42 volunteers on Saturday and 16 on Sunday.  Please let us know if you can spare some time….and please help us spread the word by forwarding this request onto your contacts.    Just complete the form and return it – we will be in touch from there to confirm your assignment.

Many thanks for your help!

http://www.nkfneny.org

Albany walk written up on dailygazette.com

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jun/07/0608_kidney_walk/

Act of kindness saves a life (Schenectady County, Niskayuna)

http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tG1244747841t4a315841ac7c2

Albany Kidney Walk Video

http://www.fox23news.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=84160@wxxa.dayport.com&navCatId=6&rss=46&articleID=84105

(c)All Photos taken by JOAN HEFFLER