The holiday season is supposed to be a joyous time of celebrations, gift-giving, and quality time with family and friends. Yet the true spirit of the season can easily get lost in the shuffle of jam-packed calendars, shopping, and to-do lists. But what if you could give something affordable, yet priceless, to your community or state?
From this perspective, it’s well worth choosing a nonprofit focused on health. You have likely heard the old saying, “if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” Most of us have felt this truth hit home at one point or another in our lives, or in the lives of loved ones. If you’re looking to support a fundamental good, it’s hard to think of anything more worthwhile than supporting health nonprofits — especially state-funded organizations that ensure all their resources serve people right in your community, like the Alabama Kidney Foundation (AKF).
You can give this gift with just a few clicks of the mouse by participating in Giving Tuesday, one of the best ways to give back to your community.
What Is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a worldwide movement dedicated to generosity that encourages people to pause amid their holiday shopping and give back to their communities by supporting charitable causes. Launched in 2012, it has grown into a significant event, inspiring millions of people to contribute to various nonprofits, volunteer their time, or advocate for causes they care about.
Giving is good for donors, too. It can reduce your stress, boost your mood, protect your heart health, and even help you live longer. What’s not to love about feeling happier and healthier — and, by helping to address an urgent health concern like kidney disease, help vulnerable neighbors live healthier lives too?
When Is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday occurs annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, which means it’s always the first Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In 2024, it falls on Dec. 3.
How You Can Do the Most Good With Your Gift
Organizations like AKF have a direct and profound impact on people’s lives. AKF provides essential services, financial assistance, and other valuable forms of support for medical treatments. Their work not only addresses vital immediate needs but often helps individuals and families build a better future.
Kidney Disease in America
Kidney disease impacts a significant number of Americans each year. Many face challenges not only in terms of accessing treatment, but maintaining overall wellness due to care costs and a lack of mental health resources, including:
- Transportation barriers. Nearly 15% of dialysis patients across the country report challenges with transportation, making it difficult for them to attend their treatments regularly.
- Financial hardship. About 44% of dialysis patients face significant financial burdens due to the cost of treatment, medications, and related expenses. Besides being detrimental to financial health, this can add significant stress to any household.
- Mental health struggles. An estimated 30% of dialysis patients nationwide experience depression or anxiety, often exacerbated by the chronic nature of their condition.
Kidney Disease in the South: The Greatest Need for Support
The Southern states — which are home to over one-third of the total US population — are known for having the poorest health outcomes in the nation.
Many factors contribute to this fact, including:
- Socioeconomic challenges (including those perpetuated by inequities in communities of color)
- Higher rates of chronic diseases
- Constrained access to health care for various reasons (such as limited or nonexistent insurance coverage and lack of proximity to medical centers and specialists)
- Rural living (inadequate exercise, obesity, diabetes, poor mental health, and alcohol and drug use occur at higher rates)
Alabama, for example, is ranked among the least healthy states. It has some of the highest rates of stroke, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and kidney disease in all 50 states. If you’re looking for the American sectors most in need of wellness support, Alabama public health should top your list.
Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease in Alabama
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant health issue in Alabama, affecting thousands of residents. The problem is exacerbated by risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). These conditions are major contributors to CKD, and, unfortunately, they are prevalent in the state due to low income, lifestyle factors, and limited access to health care resources.
Alabamians experience even greater kidney and overall wellness challenges than the national average in these areas:
- Transportation barriers. In Alabama, a staggering 20% of patients report transportation as a significant barrier to treatment.
- Financial hardship. Approximately 50% of dialysis patients in the state are struggling financially, often due to lower income levels and higher out-of-pocket health care costs.
- Mental health struggles. Mental health issues are prevalent here as well, with around 35% of Alabama’s dialysis patients dealing with depression or anxiety.
This Giving Tuesday, you have a unique opportunity to make your holiday season more meaningful by supporting health-related causes that truly matter. By supporting AKF in providing essential forms of support to kidney patients in Alabama, you can help alleviate some of these burdens and contribute to better health outcomes in one of the most vulnerable states in America. Your contribution not only supports immediate needs but also invests in healthier, more resilient communities. Give today!
Alabama ranks first in the number of dialysis patients per capita in the United States, and over 1,000 Alabama residents are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. The Alabama
Kidney Foundation provides education, support services, and financial assistance to
low-income kidney dialysis patients. The foundation also provides statewide education to
promote organ donation awareness and the prevention of kidney disease.
We help connect patients to experts who can provide information on how to manage everything,
including dialysis treatment, transplant surgery, and dealing with the mental toll that comes with
a kidney disease diagnosis. Contact us today to learn how we can help you!
Wondering what you can do for Giving Tuesday? This holiday season, please consider making an online donation. It’s quick, easy, and allows us to maximize our impact. Alternatively, consider volunteering with us to support Alabamian kidney health!
