June 22 Kidney Health Fest in Seattle for African American Families

On Saturday, June 22, Northwest Kidney Centers in Seattle holds its 11th annual Kidney Health Fest for African American Families, featuring free health screenings, education, entertainment and healthy food made by local celebrity chefs.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Van Asselt Elementary (formerly the African American Academy), 8311 Beacon Ave. S., in Seattle, on Metro bus line 106. About 750 people attended last year.

"Everyone is welcome to attend the Fest, have fun and learn about kidney disease and healthy living – and it's completely free," said Dr. Bessie Young, pictured at left, a Seattle kidney specialist who has chaired the community organizing committee since the Fest began. "Bring your friends and family and make a day of it. People of every age can have fun while they learn how to keep their families healthy."

One in seven American adults has kidney disease. In the African American community, the number increases four-fold. Although African Americans make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, 35 percent of individuals with kidney failure on dialysis are African American.

In addition, African American men are 10 to 14 times more likely to develop kidney failure due to high blood pressure than Caucasian men in the same age group.

At the event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants can receive a free kidney health screening and private consultation with a doctor about the results. The screening includes a finger stick for a blood sample, urinalysis, blood pressure and weight check. Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity all contribute to the current epidemic of kidney disease.

Dr. Jonathan Himmelfarb, director of the Kidney Research Institute in Seattle, will be among the speakers. Himmelfarb is an international authority who can explain up-to-the-minute science in terms lay people can understand. He will talk about the reasons why kidney disease is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians, and the latest thinking about ways to prevent and treat it.

At noon, noted local chefs will serve a free lunch. Donating their services are Jemil Johnson of Jemil's Big Easy, Mulugeta Abate of Pan Africa, Theo Martin of Island Soul, Anthony Davis of AMD's Catering, and Kristi Brown-Wokoma of That Brown Girl Catering.

The award-winning Pacific Northwest Drumline Association will kick off the day, and the energy will stay high with performances by electric fusion band Comfort Food, rapper Willa Scrilla, singers and musicians from the NAACP ACT-SO program, spoken word artists, the Liberation United Church of Christ choir, and more.

Special activities for children include an obstacle course and a visit from the Black Firefighters Association truck.

The focus on fitness includes Edna Daigre from Ewajo Center, Ajene Bomani-Robertson from the Austin Foundation, and Jannine Young from Core Power Yoga will speak and get the audience moving with fitness demonstrations.

This year's Fest is dedicated to the memory of Willie Austin, former University of Washington football player and power lifting champion. His Austin Foundation provides youth with vital access to fitness and nutrition. A regular and popular presenter at the Fest, he died unexpectedly April 24,2013.

Local churches are co-hosts, providing volunteers and encouraging attendance. They include Damascus Baptist, First AME, Freedom Church of Seattle, Goodwill Missionary Baptist, Immaculate Conception, Liberation United Church of Christ, Madison Park Church of Christ, Mt. Zion Baptist, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, New Hope Missionary Baptist, Pentecostal Covenant Church, Southside Church of Christ, St. Mary's, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist, and Walker Chapel AME.

Community partner organizations. More than 30 exhibitors will be on hand to share resources for healthy living.

Participants in the Kidney Health Fest will learn how to improve their lives to avoid kidney disease. This includes:

-- Treating high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the leading causes of kidney failure.

-- Quitting smoking.

-- Reducing added salt and processed, packaged and fast food.

-- Eating healthy to avoid obesity.

-- Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

-- Avoiding the overuse of pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which can damage kidneys.

For more information about the event or to pre-register, visit www.nwkidney.org/fest.