National Kidney Foundation Serving Texas

Reminds Everyone to “Heart Your Kidneys” on World Kidney Day
March 8, 2018

Expanded public awareness campaign relaunches for March, National Kidney Month

On World Kidney Day, March 8, 2018 and throughout the month of March - National Kidney Month - the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is reminding all Americans to “Heart Your Kidneys.”

More than 30 million American adults are estimated to have kidney disease, the 9^th leading cause of death in the U.S., and growing in prevalence. To further raise awareness among the young and the young at heart, NKF has partnered with 10-year-old America’s Got Talent singer and kidney transplant recipient Angelica Hale. NKF and Angelica are advancing the “Heart Your Kidneys” public awareness campaign introduced last year to elevate knowledge about, and concern for, kidneys to the level of the body’s other, better-understood, vital organs such as the heart. 

People also need to know that kidneys are the foundation for a healthy heart.  Kidney healthy is also heart healthy, so when you “heart your kidneys,” you also show love for your heart!  The number one cause of death in people with kidney disease is heart disease.

At age 4, Angelica’s kidneys failed. Her mother, Eva Hale, donated one of her own kidneys to her daughter to save her life. Today, both mother and daughter are healthy.  Angelica’s story is a reminder that when your kidneys stop working, so do you. Dialysis or a transplant is needed just to stay alive.  

“Eat right, exercise, drink water, and keep your kidneys healthy, because whatever you’re good at, there’s only one you,” said Angelica as part of a new series of “Heart Your Kidneys” video public service announcements she recorded for NKF. Also, earlier this week, Angelica became NKF’s newest face of kidney advocacy on Capitol Hill during this year’s Kidney Patient Summit in Washington, D.C., where she helped support key NKF legislative priorities.

NKF Serving Texas urges anyone with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease to speak with their doctor this month, or anytime, and ask about getting tested for kidney disease.  “It takes just two simple tests at the doctor’s office to check your kidney health.  Even if you inherit kidney disease, you may be able to slow down progression of the disease with lifestyle changes,” said Neil Foote, local board chair.

Free and Open to the Public:
On Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM the National Kidney Foundation and Dallas County Health & Human Services Department (DCHHS) will offer free kidney screenings at DCHHS, 2377 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207.  No appointment necessary!  What to expect: Risk survey, blood pressure check, body mass index measurement, an opportunity to speak with a healthcare professional, free educational materials and for individuals at risk, an ACR urine test for albumin (a type of protein). Must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

To further commemorate World Kidney Day and bring awareness to the disease the NKF is hosting a Patient & Community Education Seminar & Luncheon on Sunday, March 11 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the DoubleTree Hotel Dallas Campbell Centre. For more information about these events, contact the NKF office at 214.351.2393 ext 655.

Join the conversation on social media by looking for and posting the #HeartYourKidneys hashtag.

Kidney Disease Facts

30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information about NKF visit www.kidney.org.

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It was an exciting experience for the Vinyard Family and the corporate leaders and their families from their eateries Bubba’s Cooks Country, Babe’s Chicken Dinner House and Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes, as they were treated to an exclusive private tour of the Mercury Studios in Irving, compliments of Mercury One and its founder, Glenn Beck.
         

The children’s eyes were wide with wonder as they entered the biggest TV and movie studio between New York and Hollywood where they were greeted with the bigger-than-life sized robots from the 2013 live-production and movie Man In The Moon and toured the studios where films such as RoboCop, JFK, and Problem Child were all filmed as well as shows like Walker, Texas Ranger and Barney.
         

The night’s program began with Suzanne Grishman, Mercury One’s Executive Director, welcoming the crowd and a blessing led by Chaplain Gene McGuire. A special dinner and deluxe sundae bar, provided by Ruthie’s Rolling Café and Ben & Jerry’s was a treat savored by all and then the tour began.
         

Glenn began by opening the doors to Studio 19, named after Orson Welles’ Sound Stage at Universal, sharing absolutely fascinating details throughout the tour about how the studio works as the home of The Glenn Beck Program and TheBlaze TV network, explaining the sets, including the Oval Office set from the movie JFK, the bench from Forrest Gump, and other sets and memorabilia from the shows mentioned above, answering questions all along the way.
         

Afterwards, the stage was set with pop culture items and pieces of historical, political and spiritual items reflecting America and its history, presented in partnership with Wallbuilders’ CEO David Barton and his son, Tim Barton. Their captivating interactive presentation with Glenn gave everyone the opportunity to touch and see artifacts that have shaped our nation and culture, sharing insight about the founding of the United States through current day pop culture and the founding of our nation. 
         

Guests left with a family-friendly gift bag and information about Mercury One and its mission as a Humanitarian Aid and Education organization focused on restoring the human spirit and history. Mark your calendars and look for more details on Mercury One’s major fundraiser, the M1Ball, happening on Saturday, November 17. To learn more about Mercury One, visit the website at mercuryone.org

Photos by Amber Fisher and Jeremy Lock. 

Royal Chef Darren McGrady drew quite a fashionable crowd at KidneyTexas, Inc.’s Fall Tea which was graciously hosted by Lauryn Gayle and Tom White at their wonderful Preston Hollow home recently.
         

The table was most elegantly set with a Royal Tea catered by Eating Royally and featured a feast of delicacies which were favorites of the Royal Family when Chef McGrady served as personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry.
         

Natalie Taylor, a tea chair withSuzette Derrick andAndrea Weber, welcomed guests as she introduced Chef McGrady, who tempted the crowd with detailed descriptions of these gourmet delights, including Coronation chicken sandwiches, candied bacon sticks, Sage Derby cheese with Branston pickle sandwiches, cucumber and mint cream cheese sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, accompanied by Earl Grey and Darjeeling teas.
         

Andrea Alcorn, president of KidneyTexas, Inc., joined the ladies as they enjoyed the sumptuous offerings, followed by exciting announcements. Natalie thanked Lauryn Gayle for her generous hospitality with a lovely gift and introduced Christine Martin and Susan Russell, chairs of The Runway Report Transforming Lives, the 2017 Fashion Show and Luncheon.
         

They gave heartfelt thanks to sponsors and underwriters, including honorary chairs Linda and Steve Ivy, Barbara and Don Daseke for hosting the Patron Party, Dee Lincoln of Dee Lincoln Prime for her support in underwriting wines at all of the KidneyTexas, Inc. events and an Over-The-Top Award honoree, Gold Crown Valet, for sponsoring the valet services all year and Nerissa von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb of TOOTSIES,  Over-The-Top Award honorees and for their sponsorship of the fashion show produced by the inimitable Jan Strimple. Special recognition also went to Sue Goodnight, the namesake of the Sue Goodnight Service Award and also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
         

They recognized beneficiaries Baylor Health Care System Foundation, which wasgranted $30,000 to fund their Hispanic Kidney Transplant Program to participate in a five-year study aiming to implement and evaluate a culturally competent transplant center program tailored to Hispanics to increase the rate of living donor kidney transplants (LDKT) within this population; Camp Reynal, which enables over 100 children to enjoy summer camp and is equipped to handle their medical needs, $19,500; Children’s Medical Center Foundation received $20,500 for hemodialysis and blood pressure machines; Parkland Health and Hospital Foundation was given $30,500 for a kidney dialysis unit; Texas Health Resources Foundation received $14,214 for a hemodialysis machine; UT Southwestern Medical Center received $29,925 towards kidney related research to Identify the role of FGF23 in cardiac function in states of hyperphosphatemia but with normal renal function.

 President-elect Mary Lee Cox announced members of the incoming board which included the much anticipated chairs for the 2018 Fashion Show and Luncheon, Annalee Aston and Joanna Tollenaere, with Dr. Goran Klintmalm as honorary advisor.
         

Chef McGrady took the floor sharing anecdotes of his 15-year tenure with the Royal Family, including stories accompanying items which were also served today: Chocolate biscuit cake, which was Prince William’s Groom’s cake, Princess Diana’s favorite pastry, Scottish shortbread; and Queen Elizabeth’s favorite Strawberry lemon tartlets.  He stayed afterwards chatting it up and autographing copies of his book, The Royal Chef at Home, Easy Seasonal Entertaining.
         

Membership in KidneyTexas, Inc. is open to the public and offers many benefits, including exclusive events in private homes such as this tea.  Sign up through the website at at http://www.kidneytexas.org, contact 214-891-0896 or email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net        

Mission Statement: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

Statistics: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

History: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $3.1 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease. 

Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Fashion Show and Luncheon in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders, and we're asking for your support.

Photos by Dana Driensky. 

The Kendra Scott Gives Back Party benefiting Rainbow Days was held at Kendra Scott in Preston Center and guests enjoyed light refreshments while enjoying shopping the new Kendra Scott Winter Collection.
           

Guests who shopped that evening had 20% of their purchase price donated back to Rainbow Days. Over 50 individuals attended the fun and festive event including the Founder and CEO of Rainbow Days, Cathey Brown. The successful event raised over $1,000 in donations to benefit 11,000 children in the Dallas area that Rainbow Days serves.
           

Rainbow Days is pleased to announce that Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) has selected Rainbow Days as their 2017-2018 beneficiary.  Attorneys Serving the Community had a tremendous turnout of members who attended the event to support Rainbow Days mission, including outstanding ASC chairs: Beth Bedell, Lead Chair of ASC, and Jessica O’Neill, Co-Chair of ASC, who were in attendance.  Beth shared, “We are thrilled to be chairing the 2018 ASC Luncheon benefitting Rainbow Days and are looking forward to a fantastic year of extraordinary events and activities that will benefit this worthy cause.” 
           

Beth Bedell is Legal Counsel for Labor & Employment at Texas Instruments. She provides proactive, strategic legal advice and daily counseling to human resources and business partners on all aspects of employment law. Beth is a magna cum laude graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, where she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the SMU Law Review. She has been an active member of ASC since 2004, and after serving on several ASC committees, is honored to serve as the ASC Lead Chair for the 2017-2018 term.

Jessica O’Neill is a Senior Claims Examiner at Markel Corporation, where she evaluates insurance coverage and manages large scale environmental insurance claims as a licensed adjuster.  Jessica is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Western Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Since moving to the Dallas area in 2013, Jessica has been an active member of ASC and co-chaired the ASC Silent Auction for the last three years.  Jessica is thrilled to serve as the ASC Co-Chair for the 2017-2018 term.   
           

Attorneys Serving the Community’s mission is to bring together women lawyers who collectively utilize their resources and talents to support local nonprofit organizations whose programs benefit women, children or families. Each year, ASC presents fundraising events that support its selected beneficiary, culminating in the annual ASC Luncheon. Since 1987, ASC has raised nearly $5 million for Dallas area non-profits. ASC’s success is a tribute to the strong commitment by many area lawyers, law firms, businesses and individuals to the beneficiaries ASC has served.
           

Rainbow Days, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization, mission is to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. Through support groups, classroom-based education programs and other services, Rainbow Days positively impacts over 11,000 children and youth living in adversity each year. Founded in 1982, Rainbow Days has served more than 210,000 children in the Dallas area and trained over 47,000 adults to facilitate Rainbow Days’ award-winning Curriculum- Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program nationwide. Rainbow Days is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and receives the majority of its funding from private contributions and the United Way. 

For more information about Attorneys Serving the Community, please visit their website at ascdallas.com.
           

For more information about Rainbow Days, please visit our website at RainbowDays.org or contact us at 214-877-0726.

Photos by Rob Wythe/Gittings.

Jolie Humphrey and Josey Kennington, Chairs | Kim and David McDavid, Jr., Honorary Chairs
Venise Stuart, President, AWARE

The scene was set at the launch party for AWARE Affair Celebrate the Moments – A Modern American Evening at The Statler’s Bourbon & Banter as guests were greeted by a 1946 Lincoln and a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air – a flashback to speakeasy times - at the entrance.
         
Access to the underground lounge is familiar to those who might recall the location of the old beauty salon at The Statler, down a couple flights of stairs, but new to the location is the addition of a call-in code which guests make from a telephone booth just outside the main door. Then you’re in!

Jolie Humphrey, one of the AWARE Affair chairs, said “Speakeasy chic was the attire listed on the invitation and it has made for a wonderful atmosphere for our party.” Joining Jolie in welcoming the crowd were Josey Kennington, who is chairing AWARE Affair with Jolie and honorary chairs Kim and David McDavid, she in sparkles and sequins and he in dapper pin stripes and a fedora.
         
More than 75 supporters and members of the host committee gathered in the high-style surroundings and enjoyed a signature cocktail, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Venise Stuart, AWARE’s president thanked everyone and revealed some history about AWARE which began in 1989 when five very involved and powerful Dallas women founded the organization in support of their good friend who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Those five women were the late Ruth Sharp Altshuler, Cyndy Hudgins, Nancy Nelson, Evelyn Ponder, Billie Leigh Rippey and Anita Sampels. At least 100 of their friends stepped up to join the organization, some of whom attended this evening.
         
In the almost 30 years since AWARE has been in existence, over $12.5 million has been raised.  This money has been given back to the community in the form of support for education, research, and caregiving using a thorough grant review process under the administration of The Dallas Foundation. The process includes financial analysis and on-site visits to applying organizations. Beneficiaries are listed below.

AWARE Affair celebrates two honorees. The first is BvB Dallas: BvB Dallas is a Dallas-based charity organization that hosts a powder-puff football game and other fundraisers as a way of raising money for Alzheimer’s disease research and awareness. Founded locally by a group of young women driven to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, BvB Dallas is a personal way for young professionals across DFW to raise awareness, funds and support to TACKLE ALZHEIMER’S FOREVER. Raising more than $3.5 million and recruiting over 1,000 volunteers for the cause, BvB Dallas has made a huge impact in the Metroplex over the past 10 years.

The second honoree is the Chantilis Family, in honor of their mother, Frances Chantilis. Frances was one of the original charter members of AWARE. Frances was a kind, gentle, woman, who gave to everyone in the community. Unfortunately, Frances lost her own battle of Alzheimer's in 2013.

Her children, Sam Chantilis, M.D. and Stephanie and Bennie Bray, in Frances' memory, continue the mission of AWARE. Stephanie and her husband, Bennie, served as the 2015 AWARE Affair Chairs.
         
Jolie and Josey thanked media sponsors PaperCity Magazine, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family, MySweetCharity and Downtown Business News, along with in-kind sponsors to date: Matthew Shelley Photography, Glass Vodka, ROXOR Gin, JR Ewing Bourbon, Lakewood Brewing Co. and PRATIKSHA Jewelry, which donated a most beautiful set of a diamond necklace and earrings co-designed by honorary chair, Kim McDavid.  Topping off the sweet evening were chocolates from Chocolate Secrets as favors.
           
Slated for Friday, April 13, 2018, AWARE Affair Celebrate the Moments – A Modern American Evening will be held at The Statler, the newly-renovated historic hotel. The original Statler Hilton, an iconic building of mid-twentieth century design, was heralded as the first and finest hotel of the modern era and established Dallas as the business and entertainment center of the Southwest. 
         
AWARE’s new event format is a party scene in tune with the hotel’s new energy, designed to entice party-goers of all ages: a cocktail reception, dancing to favorite tunes spanning the decades, silent auction with select wonderful finds for everyone, and a spirited live auction.  Ron Corning is emcee.
         
Guests will enjoy a three-course seated dinner showcasing gourmet selections by Director of Culinary Events Justo Blanco.  Justo, the former Executive Chef and Director of Operations at Bolsa Mercado, heads up the culinary team at The Statler.  He has a wealth of knowledge, has been recognized by Dallas Modern Luxury, D Magazine, notables in the culinary world, and he possesses a wealth of culinary and event experience. 
         
For underwriting and sponsorship opportunities contact Sharon Walker at therwalks@sbcglobal.net or 214.369.2459, or visit the website at AWAREDallas.org
          2018 AWARE Grant Recipients are:

• Baylor Health Care System Foundation – Support for the salary of a Ph.D. Neuropsychology Intern for Baylor AT&T Memory Center.
  
  
• Center for BrainHealth - Discovery Group - Support for the Discovery Group, a program designed to help individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias focus on preserving abilities and tapping strengths to promote meaningful engagement and slow the progression of the disease.
  
  
• Dallas Museum of Art - Memory Moments – Support for teaching honorariums, supplies, and staffing for Memory Moments, a program designed to provide participants with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias ways to engage in art that are revitalizing and gratifying.
  
  
• Jewish Family Service - Support for the salary of a Clinical Social Worker to provide independent living services to adults with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their families/caregivers.
  
  
• Juliette Fowler Communities – Support for group and individual therapy sessions with a Certified Music Therapist for memory care residents, and to help purchase additional instruments and therapeutic tools.
  
  
• NorthPark Presbyterian Church - Casa de Vida – Support the Casa de Vida program, which gives relief to families/caregivers by providing one-on-one care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias at the church for programs involving art, music, games, and lunch one day per week from 9:30 until 1:30.
  
  
• Texas Winds Musical Outreach - Support for two concerts by professional musicians in 87 nursing homes and adult daycare facilities that serve individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
  
  
• Presbyterian Communities & Services Foundation - Broad Strokes – Support for the Broad Strokes program at Grace Presbyterian Village that provides music and art therapy to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
  
  
• The Senior Source - Senior Companions - Support for the Senior Companion Program matching volunteers with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their families needing assistance with meals, light housekeeping, and companionship.
  
  
• UT Southwestern Medical Center - Support to advance Dr. Roger Rosenberg’s research and clinical trials on a DNA Vaccine to clear amyloid plaques in the brain to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
  
  
• The Myrna D. Schlegel AWARE Scholarship Fund - Recipients are Nora Drutz-Rogney, Baylor University; Lindsay Ross, Texas Christian University.
  
            The Dallas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity, is the fiscal sponsor of AWARE. For more information please visit the website at AWAREDallas.org

About AWARE: The Dallas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity, is the fiscal sponsor of AWARE. In partnership with the Foundation, AWARE conducts an annual grant application review process resulting in the selection of the most exemplary nonprofit organizations working on the front lines in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in Dallas and the North Texas region. AWARE provides funding and support to these outstanding groups that offer services, programs, education, and resources to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers, and to organizations doing valuable research to find a prevention and cure.  Since its founding in 1989, AWARE has donated over $12,500,000 towards this cause.

About The Statler: The Statler is a modern-day redevelopment of a landmark Dallas hotel which opened in 2017.  Opening its doors for the first time in 16 years, The Statler will feature a luxury boutique hotel and residences, with restaurants, nightlife, boutique retail, meeting spaces and a multi-purpose events and concert venue. Encompassing style, status and sophistication, The Statler features 219 luxury residences and 159 hotel rooms. Originally opening as the Statler Hilton in 1956, the hotel was a destination for the elite, attracting the world’s most distinguished dignitaries and celebrities. The Statler, part of Curio – A Collection by Hilton, is the iconic downtown Dallas experience. Visit the website at http://thestatlerdallas.com/

Photos by Matthew Shelley.