Baxter expands kidney disease program

DEERFIELD -Baxter International Inc. Thursday announced the national expansion of its partnership with The Links Inc., an international nonprofit organization, to continue bringing awareness and resources for the disproportionate challenges affecting Black Americans related to kidney health.

Baxter is committing an incremental $800,000 in funding to The Links, specifically targeted toward expanding the program's footprint to more areas with a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease. This investment brings Baxter's cumulative contributions to The Links to $1.4 million in two years.

The Links, a nonprofit comprised of more than 17,000 Black women and women of African descent, joined forces with Baxter in 2021 to create intervention-based programs focused on the prevention, detection and management of kidney disease. Baxter produces a portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, kidney care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products.

During the inaugural program year, 36 Links chapters engaged with more than 260 area healthcare professionals and over 500 community partners, including faith-based organizations, civic leaders and other influential community advocates. Through these efforts and The Links programs, more than 51,000 community members received kidney health awareness and education resources.

"Our momentum with The Links has been powerful. By focusing on one health condition and partnering with trusted community members to help educate and inform, we've been able to provide important awareness and resources for kidney health," said Guillermo Amezcua, general manager of Baxter's U.S. renal business.