Festival Focuses on Blacks' Health

Northwest Kidney Centers brings community health to the forefront at the fourth annual Kidney Health Fest for African American Families, set for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the African American Academy, 8311 Beacon Avenue S.

The event is free to the public and designed to educate the African American community about kidney disease and ways to live smarter and healthier.

African Americans are at increased risk for developing kidney disease, as well as high blood pressure and diabetes — the two leading causes of kidney failure.

The health fest will feature free health screenings and private consultations with kidney physicians. Free tests to be offered include blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index, blood sugar, protein in the urine (an early sign of kidney disease) and HIV.

King County Executive Ron Sims; King County Councilor Larry Gossett; and James Kelly, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, will welcome participants at 10 a.m. Afterward, panelists of all ages will discuss kidney disease, sharing their experiences living with kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

University of Washington football coach Bob Simmons will describe his life after receiving a life-sustaining kidney transplant from his wife.

Free lunch will be provided by four prominent Seattle chefs. Cooking demonstrations are planned throughout the morning to show how quick, fun, delicious and healthy meals can be prepared at home.

Fitness sessions for all ages — kids, teens, adults and seniors – will be taught by certified trainers in the morning. In the afternoon, local hip-hop teen artist J. Woods will entertain the crowd.

Kids' activities will be offered, and everyone who attends and registers at the door will be entered into the multiple drawings throughout the event for free iPods.