400 CPS Kids Receive Kits for Leading Active Lifestyles
Nearly 400 Chicago elementary school students received donated sporting equipment as part of a new charitable Foundation launched by Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) to reduce childhood obesity and educate young people about the risks of kidney disease. A total of 4,000 Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyle (HEAL) kits, which included basketballs, footballs and hacky sacks, were assembled by employees during their leadership conference in Chicago. FMCNA, the nation's leading provider of kidney care products and services, donated the remaining 3,600 kits to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Students and employees also enjoyed performances by the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters and 10-year-old America's Got Talent runner-up and kidney transplant recipient Angelica Hale, an advocate for living organ donation. The Globetrotters engaged the students in their Some Playtime Is Necessary (S.P.I.N.) initiative, which encourages 30-60 minutes of activity per day.
FMCNA launched their Foundation on Tuesday at McCormick Place where several thousand leaders from across the country gathered to focus on improving health outcomes for people living with kidney disease and in need of life-sustaining dialysis.
"We strive to treat the whole patient - not just their condition - and recognize the unique role we can play in furthering the national dialogue around chronic kidney disease and transplant awareness," said Bill Valle, FMCNA Chief Executive Officer and President of the Fresenius Medical Care Foundation. "When we look outside the walls of our dialysis clinics, we know we must help people at risk for developing kidney disease, and our new Foundation is a significant step toward that important, long-term goal."
The Foundation aims to create a healthier generation of adults by educating youth about healthy lifestyles and addressing social factors that impact health outcomes, including having access to nutritious food and daily activity. By partnering with other nonprofit organizations, such as the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, the Foundation seeks to engage communities most at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the leading causes of kidney disease.
In addition, FMCNA donated $50,000 to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago toward summer camp support, including Camp Duncan, which in part focuses on children with diabetes.
"The Y works to implement programming through holistic, collaborative approaches focused on nutrition, cooking, food access and healthy and active lifestyles-all tailored to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve," said YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago CEO Richard Malone. "This generous gift from the Fresenius Medical Care Foundation will allow the Y to continue to build on our healthy living programming, particularly through challenging youth and teens with diabetes to reach their maximum potential, both physically and mentally."
About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the country's largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world's largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://fmcna.com/.