FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessica Emler, DCI Public Information Coordinator
Nation’s Largest Non-Profit Dialysis Organization
Celebrates 40 Years of Care
OnMay 24th, 2011, the nation’s largest non-profit dialysis provider, Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI) celebrated its 40th birthday.
DCI is hosting 40 community service projects across the US.
In honor of its 40th birthday, DCI is hosting 40 Acts of Service Celebrating 40 Years of Care. DCI employees around the nation have teamed up to complete 40 community service projects that will educate society about kidney disease and organ donation. According to Jessica Emler, DCI Public Information Coordinator, “We wanted to celebrate DCI’s birthday in a way that brought our mission to life… “We are a service organization. The care of the patient is our reason for existence.” Therefore, we created the 40 Acts of Service project to benefit people with chronic kidney disease as well as educate society about chronic kidney disease and organ donation. As a non-profit dialysis provider, we exist to serve society, and this is a fun way to do it.”
The 40 Acts of Service are being completed in several states across the US. Events range from free health and wellness expos to community celebrations with cooking demonstrations, exercise demonstrations, music and games for the family. Each event provides education regarding chronic kidney disease prevention and management along with facts about organ donation. Information about the individual Acts of Service can be found on the DCI website at www.dciinc.org (http://www.dciinc.org/40acts_intro.php).
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a silent killer.
More than 26 million Americans, 1 in 9 adults, have kidney disease and millions of others are at increased risk of developing it. The two main causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Early detection and treatment may slow the progression of kidney disease and keep it from getting worse. If left undetected and untreated, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure resulting in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
DCI was founded to serve patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Founded in 1971 by a practicing nephrologist, Dr. Keith Johnson, DCI opened the doors to its first clinic inNashville,Tennessee. At this time, dialysis centers were few and Medicare payments did not exist. DCI’s goal was to make dialysis services available to those with kidney disease. DCI chose the non-profit mission in order to make funds available for research, education, and the expansion of services that would improve the lives of those with kidney disease.
Currently, DCI operates 210 dialysis centers within 27 states serving approximately 14,000 patients. Over 188 million dollars have been allocated to research and education initiatives designed to improve the lives of those with kidney disease.
Furthering the commitment to improving the lives of those with CKD, DCI established DCI Donor Services (DCIDS), an organ and tissue recovery organization operating across theUnited States. DCIDS provides an opportunity for organ, eye and tissue donation and facilitates the recovery and transplantation of these gifts to help others in need.
DCI also foundedCampOkawehnato serve the children with chronic kidney disease. This week-long summer camp, located outside ofNashville,Tennessee, has an on-site dialysis facility and allows for children with chronic kidney disease to enjoy a real camp experience.
DCI provides the highest quality of care.
Founder and Chairman of the Board for DCI, Dr. H. Keith Johnson, stated, "For nearly 40 years DCI has operated as a non-profit organization with the philosophy that offering high quality care to the patient is our reason for existence. We believe that our non-profit status allows us to devote a larger proportion of our resources to improving the care we offer to our patients."
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