A kidney doctor will walk from Columbus to Macon on Saturday in an effort to raise money for Louisville dialysis patients affected by the tornadoes that struck Mississippi late last month.
The tornadoes, one of which took 10 lives in Winston County on April 28, completely destroyed the Fresenius Medical Care facility in Louisville. The repair process will take six months, according to Dr. Christopher LeBrun, a medical director with Fresenius Medical Care.
More than 60 dialysis patients who used the facility are having to travel 30-plus miles three times a week to receive their regular treatments, LeBrun said.
LeBrun, a nephrologist at FMC’s Winston County clinic, will leave Columbus at 5 a.m. Saturday heading to Macon on foot.
The “I Gotta Go” Kidney Run/Walk is a 31-miles trek. LeBrun and the clinic are hoping that the event will raise $5,000 for the dialysis patients, the doctor said.
Lebrun will leave Fresenius Medical Care Golden Triangle at 92 North Brookmore Drive in Columbus at 5 a.m. He will end his walk at Fresenius Medical Care Noxubee County at 703 North Washington Street in Macon.
Participants can run or walk as many five-mile segments as they desire, anywhere along the path, LeBrun said.
To register for the run/walk or to make a donation through the Mississippi Kidney Foundation visit firstgiving.com/mississippikidneyfoundation.
LeBrun will also take part in a free kidney screening being put on in Columbus next week.
The Mississippi Kidney Foundation will offer the free kidney screenings at the Outpatient Pavilion Conference Center at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle next Friday.
The screenings will take place from 9 a.m. until noon, according to Lynda Richards, director of patient services with the Mississippi Kidney Foundation.
Richards suggested that people interested in receiving the screening call to make a reservation. The number is 601-981-3611 or 1-800-232-1592.
The tests will gauge whether a patient shows signs of kidney disease.
Richards said the tests includee blood pressure, blood sugar, urinalysis, full renal panel, complete blood count and a cholesterol check. Patients will get soem results, while other results will be mailed to them a week after the screening, Richard said.
LeBrun will be available to answer questions. If warning signs are detected, the foundation will contact the patient and ask them to take their results to a doctor, Richards said.
The Mississippi Kidney Foundation has been offering free screenings around the state since 2003. The last time the screening were offered in Columbus was 2010, according to Richards.
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
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