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ALBANY, GA -- On Saturday July 9, 2011, Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI), Dougherty County Health Department, and the City of Albany will present the “Kidney Kamp Health Fair” located at the James H. Gray Civic Center in downtown Albany from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m.

In celebration of DCI’s 40th anniversary, DCI is hosting 40 Acts of Service Celebrating 40 Years of Care around the United States. The “Acts of Service” are a variety of community service projects hosted by local DCI facilities that serve to educate the community regarding chronic kidney disease. The DCI Albany area clinics (Jefferson, Arlington, Dawson, East Albany, Sylvester, West Town, Home Training, Palmyra Acute, and Phoebe Acute) have teamed up with the City of Albany Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Dougherty County Health Department, to host the “Kidney Kamp Health Fair” which will provide healthcare screenings for families of southwest Georgia.   

The health fair is free and open to the public. Entertainment and health screenings will be provided for the entire family. There will be art displays, music entertainment, fitness, and food demonstrations, as well as activities for the children including arts and crafts, “Kip the Kidney” puppet shows, and face painting. Door prizes will be given throughout the event.

The Dougherty County Health Department will be on-site offering 20 minute HIV testing, immunizations, stroke assessments, weight, and body mass index (BMI) assessments, said Vamella Lovette, Adult Health Director for the Health Department.

The City of Albany and the Dougherty County Health Department are sponsoring lead based paint screenings for children, which related complications include kidney diseases.

DCI will be conducting risk assessments for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by performing blood pressure checks and blood glucose monitoring.

Chronic Kidney Disease 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.

For more information about the event, please visit www.dciinc.org or call (229) 888-4943.