Free Kidney and Diabetes Screening To be Held at MacNeal Hospital

The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois will hold a free kidney and diabetes screening on Saturday, April 13 at MacNeal Hospital.

The screening will be held between 10 am and 2 pm in the hospital's north building first floor staff room, 3249 S. Oak Park Ave., Berwyn. It is being offered in collaboration with state representatives Elizabeth Hernandez and Michael Zalewski and state senator Steven M. Landek.

No appointment is needed. Participants, who must be 18 or older, will be screened for blood pressure, blood sugar (no fasting necessary), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, urinalysis (urine sample required) and blood draw if necessary. A healthcare professional
will discuss results.

One in seven American adults have kidney disease and one in three are at risk. Each year, kidney disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer. Because kidney disease often develops slowly with few symptoms, it frequently can go undetected until it is very advanced. Steps such as controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, keeping weight down, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and avoiding excessive use of pain medications can reduce the risk.

For more information, contact the kidney foundation at (312) 321-1500 or www.nkfi.org.