CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Amparo Ibana drew blood from Douglas Wong this week at the American Savings Bank Tower.
Group offers
free kidney examThe Kidney Foundation
invites people in high-risk
categories to do the screenings
When Douglas Wong saw a flier posted in his Merrill Lynch office about a free kidney screening program he decided to take advantage of it.
The 60-year-old financial adviser isn't diabetic but said his grandfather died of diabetes "so I just want to be careful. Whenever your family has diabetes, or blood relatives, I suppose you're above average risk (for kidney failure)."
The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii has been conducting the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) since 1996 with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Marjorie K. Mau, professor and chairman of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health, is doing research with the screening statistics.
"We're so concerned about the high rate of kidney failure in our islands," said Julie Schweitzer, chief operating officer at the kidney foundation.
"What we're hoping to do is extend the time before the kidneys fail or avoid it all together."
She said about 1,800 residents are on dialysis for kidney failure "and it's climbing every day."
Hawaii's kidney failure rate is 30 percent higher than the national average, with Hawaiians and Filipinos the major ethnic groups affected, she said.
"This is the sleeping giant here that's going to come and bankrupt our health system ... It's like the 'perfect storm' brewing," Schweitzer said.
"The main thing is to take care of the underlying cause or feeder to kidney failure, either by diabetes or high blood pressure. Both conditions are really high in Hawaii," she said.
The foundation conducts about six free screenings a year, inviting people in high risk categories to participate.
High risk groups include those with diabetes, high blood pressure or family members with kidney failure. "Also, if they don't have that but they have relatives with diabetes or high blood pressure," we're taking them," Schweitzer said.
Wong, of Aina Haina, is about 5-feet 9-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He generally walks or runs three miles every day and goes to 24 Hour Fitness three times a week.
"I believe in prevention," he said. "I think it's a lot easier to stay healthy than to get sick and get healthy."
He was one of 72 people screened by the foundation for potential kidney problems Tuesday at the American Savings Bank Tower. "It's a wonderful service," he said.
Participants are weighed and undergo a health assessment survey. Their blood pressure is taken; blood is drawn to test for diabetes, and urine is tested to check for early indicators for kidney failure.
Several were identified with potential kidney problems, Schweitzer said, explaining results are sent to the participants' physicians so they can take steps to prevent kidney disease.
Screenings are moved around to different communities. Anyone who wants to participate should call 589-5925. For more information, see www.kidneyhi.org.
