Make it a Healthy Family Affair

It's fun to gather with family and friends when the opportunity arises. These gatherings allow for fun, fellowship and camaraderie to be further cemented in the foundation of love. And let's face it, with busy schedules, sometimes one just has to make these happenings a reality.

One place that this often takes place is at a family reunion. What better place than this to rekindle and reflect on past memories while creating new ones? Don't even talk about the food!! Everybody has to try Aunt Sally's famous homemade peach cobbler and Uncle Harry's much-talked-about barbecue ribs. Are your salivary glands wide awake now?

It is such venues as this that the National Kidney Disease Education Program thrives on.

According to their website, "NKDEP aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of kidney disease, the importance of testing those at high risk (those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney failure and the availability of treatment to prevent or slow kidney failure".

Statistically African-Americans seem to be plagued with most of these ailments. Kidney failure is especially high in those suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Unfortunately this is not always something that people are aware of.

For this reason, NKDEP has information that they want to share. It is called the Family Reunion Health Guide. It is a FREE guide that shares important information about these diseases and what families can do to address these concerns. Tips are given as to how to discuss these issues with family members.

Their website further states, "The NKDEP is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health, designed to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by kidney disease and its complications."

In your effort to continue your family traditions through special events, make sure you broach this topic in a caring and loving manner. Simply call 1-866-4-KIDNEY or visit www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion to get your free guide.

May all your gatherings be filled with fun, laughter and good health.

SOURCE:

www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion