The screening is part of the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a free health screening designed to help identify and educate individuals at increased risk – those who either have diabetes and/or hypertension or have first-degree relatives with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney failure – with the purpose of delaying or preventing the development of chronic kidney disease.  Diabetes and hypertension are the two leading causes of kidney failure. 

“We know that if we start early with education, detection and if necessary, medical intervention, we can often postpone the onset of kidney disease or kidney failure and in some cases even prevent it from ever developing,” says Thomas Peters, M.D., Chair of the Medical Advisory Board for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida.

KEEP screening participants will have their weight and blood pressure checked.  Medical professionals will collect blood and urine samples from those individuals who require further testing.  A physician will be on-site to review results with participants.  All screening participants will receive educational material about preventing and treating kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

More than 20 million Americans – or 1 in 9 adults – have chronic kidney disease, and most don’t even know it.  Another 20 million are at risk.  To make an appointment for the screening, call 352.253.3379.