A KidneyBuzz.com viewer sent an email and asked, "I always turn on the TV and hear about Cancer, or read about an HIV awareness drive in the paper, and while that is great, I seldom see things related to Chronic Kidney Disease. It's like we don't exist. I talk to my friends and family about what I am going through and they say, 'You look great!' They don't get what I am dealing with. I feel so alone sometimes. Is there a place that I can turn to feel more engaged with Chronic Kidney Disease patients and join initiatives to help the Chronic Kidney Disease Community?"

There is a shocking lack of awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease. Have you noticed major diseases such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer's are often acknowledged in television commercials, donation drives, movies, and given extensive coverage - while Chronic Kidney Disease is often noticeably absent and as a result, lacks significant national recognition. This limited awareness has caused (1) a significant disparity in funding for necessary Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis research to improve a patient's quality of life, (2) detrimental bills being passed by Congress that harm the Chronic Kidney Disease Community and Kidney Transplant Recipients, and (3) a lower morale (spirit) among Chronic Kidney Disease Community members who often feel disconnected and alienated because most do not understand what patients are going through. Well, KidneyBuzz.com is working to change this trend, and we encourage you to join in and help!

In a recent year, more than 47,000 Americans died from Chronic Kidney Disease which has become the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, every year, Chronic Kidney Disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, according to the National Kidney Foundation. More than one-third (34%) of Dialysis patients in the United States live in what are considered poor neighborhoods, suggested the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data. KidneyBuzz.com Connect is an innovative program to connect all members of the Chronic Kidney Disease Community and supporters (family members and loved ones) to help raise awareness of the needs of Chronic Kidney Disease Community members by achieving the following goals (click here to register for a KidneyBuzz.com Connect $20.00 annual membership):

1. Advocate For Dialysis And Kidney Transplant Patients: KidneyBuzz.com will work along with the Chronic Kidney Disease community and attempt to shorten the Kidney Transplant Waiting List as well as improve treatment options and advocate for alternatives such as the Artificial Implantable Kidney. Also, the team will develop petitions for critical Congressional Bills such as the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act (extends Anti-rejection drug coverage). Currently, on average only approximately $30.00 for research is assigned per person diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease which is the lowest of all major diseases (HIV - $4,000 per patient, Cancer - $534 per patient, Alzheimer’s - $101 per patient, Heart Disease - $61 per patient, and Diabetes - $39 per patient). We also want to advocate to change this severe imbalance in funding in order to improve research and breakthroughs in the Chronic Kidney Disease Community.

2. Gain Funding And Reduce Out-Of-Pocket Costs: KidneyBuzz.com will galvanize the community to help lead initiatives to improve coverage and limit costs for Dialysis and Kidney Transplant patients such as the ESRD Choice Act (reduces out-of-pocket costs for medications and increases dental coverage for Dialysis patients).

3. Raise Awareness: Use the power of social media and other tools to raise awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease, the struggles of Dialysis patients, as well as the safe process of Altruistic Living Kidney Donation to help combat the rapidly growing Kidney Transplant Waiting List (5 to 7+ year average wait time).

4. Offer Daily Information: Continue to offer Daily News, Meals, and Inspirational Quotes as well as provide informative communication to help engage the community around important initiative breakthroughs.

By signing up for KidneyBuzz.com Connect, you will be supporting the above goals. As a Thank You, the KidneyBuzz.com Team has created a basket of gifts including a year supply of Fistula Protector Wristbands (3 bands) and e-books. We value your support to achieve these important objectives and hope that you will click here to get your KidneyBuzz.com Connect annual membership.

ecommended Reading: Scientists Have Found Culprit Responsible For Calcified Blood Vessels (A Leading Cause Of Death) In CKD-Dialysis Patients

Which of the above goals are most important to you? You and your opinion matter to us at KidneyBuzz.com. Share your responses with the nearly 50,000 Friends at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan page (click here). Moreover, consider following the over 120,000 monthly visitors to KidneyBuzz.com for your Number One (#1) source of Daily News, Information, Impact Meals, Inspirational Quotes, and tailored Products and Services which teach Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure patients how to better manage and improve their lives.