Letter: Learn more about CKD

I have chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that effects approximately 31 million Americans and continues to grow. CKD can affect people of any age, race or background, but it is especially common among dabetics.

November is National Diabetes Month, and I encourage everyone in our community to learn more about CKD and how to get tested if they are at risk. Other common risk factors include high blood pressure and obesity, as well as family history of the disease. It has such a major impact on minorities. I encourage minorities and all of those in our community to get tested for CKD during this month. As these risk factors continue to impact more people, CKD is on the rise across our state and nationwide.

I hope that this month, people in our community will learn more about CKD if they are at risk. If you are diagnosed with CKD, you can still live a very full life by managing it properly. And the key to proper management is learning about it early in its progression. I have had CKD for 51/2 years, and since I also have kidney failure I must receive dialysis every day of the week to perform the function of my kidneys, and I am still an active member of our community. I am also a member of Dialysis Patient Citizens, a group dedicated to improving kidney patients' quality of life through education and advocacy efforts.

You can learn more about CKD, how to manage it, and more by visiting www.dialysispatients.org.

Laura Sanders

Marysville