Mussman Partners with National Kidney Foundation of Illinois to Offer Free Health Screenings

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is teaming up with state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, to provide a free kidney and health screening on Friday, November 8 for all community members. The screening will be held at the Schaumburg Township District Library from noon to 4 p.m., and anyone interested in getting screened for kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes is encouraged to attend. There is no cost to be screened, and appointments are not necessary.

“The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois does excellent work educating Illinois residents on health risks and how to prevent disease,” said Mussman. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with them to provide important health screenings and information to local residents.”

The screening will be offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois’ KidneyMobile, the nation’s only custom mobile unit that travels across the state screening individuals for kidney disease and its two main causes: diabetes and high blood pressure.

In addition to a free screening, attendees will also be able to talk privately with a nurse or doctor about their results and take home free educational materials.

Each year, kidney disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, but while the majority of Americans can recite the common tests for breast and prostate cancer, many do not know the risk factors and tests that could keep them off dialysis and the transplant waiting list. Because kidney disease often develops slowly with few symptoms, it can frequently go undetected until it is very advanced. Simple steps such as controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, keeping weight down, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and avoiding excessive use of pain medicine, can help reduce risk.

“One in three American adults is at risk for kidney disease, while one in seven already have the disease” said Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. “That means hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois are affected. Our goal is to educate the community about the risks for kidney disease and detect it early so that they can manage the disease and slow its progression.”