Contact: Margie Black, Director, Sacramento Region, National Kidney Foundation of Northern California and Northern Nevada, 916-448-2200, Margie@kidneynca.org

SACRAMENTO, May 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California and Northern Nevada (NKF) opened its new Sacramento office today to help combat rising levels of Chronic Kidney Disease in California, and boost local outreach, education, and screening efforts in the Central Valley.

"As many as one in every nine adult Californians - nearly 3 million people - has Chronic Kidney Disease though a majority don't know it," says Margie Black, Director of NKF's new Sacramento Office located at 3001 I Street. "The new Sacramento office will allow the Kidney Foundation to work more closely with health policymakers and advocate for the needs of and provide services for the region's growing kidney patient population. We are very grateful to our donors and supporters for making this important expansion of services possible - the Foundation will help many more people because of their generosity," said Black

Leadership support from Sacramento-based Cambridge Homes, along with donations from generous individuals, foundations, and other businesses, allowed the Foundation to open the much-needed office. An event celebrating the new office opening is scheduled for Thursday, June 21 from 5-8 p.m. For more information please call 916-448-2200.

A free health screening in by NKF on the Capitol Lawn in March underscored the need for the Foundation's new Sacramento office. The screening found that more than 50 percent of the 175 participants had hypertension (high blood pressure) or pre-hypertension - a leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - and nearly 40 percent had high total cholesterol. Several other participants had elevated blood sugar levels - an indicator of diabetes, another leading cause of CKD.

The results surprised and concerned health officials because the average age was only 45. The early detection and treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure can often prevent CKD or keep it from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it frequently leads to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. CKD also increases the risk and severity of heart disease and diabetes. African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and the elderly are at increased risk.

Elsewhere in the Central Valley, NKF's SuperStride for Life is scheduled for May 19, from 9 AM to Noon at Victory Park in Stockton. The 5-K non-competitive walk is designed to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation's programs and services. For event details, visit our website at http://www.kidneynca.org, call 415-543-3331 x109 or email walk@kidneynca.org.

The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California & Northern Nevada and its constituents support public policy initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and improving assessment, education and care for people with or at-risk for Chronic Kidney Disease. All NKF community programs are offered free of charge and are made possible through the dedication of NKF volunteers and the generosity of philanthropic individuals and organizations. Please visit our website for information on local programs and upcoming events: www.kidneynca.org