Patient Services
The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland offers a wide range of programs and services that benefit transplant recipients and chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients. If you have questions about specific programs, contact Brenda Falcone at 443.322.0375 or click here to send an e-mail.
Emergency Financial Assistance Program
Financial assistance grants are provided to transplant recipients and chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients. Considered a resource of last resort, this financial assistance is need-based and can be used to meet critical, short-term emergency needs such as food, utilities, rent or medication. Requests for financial assistance must be made through social workers. Grants are limited to $250 per patient per year.
KEY (Kidneys: Evaluate Yours) Screenings
KEY is a FREE health screening program that helps to identify people who already have or may be at risk of developing kidney disease. Screenings are held throughout our service area and participation is FREE. Advance registration is NOT required. The screening includes a brief medical history, informed consent, blood pressure and weight measurements, and blood tests for random glucose and creatinine levels.
All participants receive follow-up letters informing them of their test results. If test values fall outside the normal range, participants are encouraged to contact their physician for further testing and evaluation.
Medical Identification Jewelry
FREE medical identification jewelry is available to all transplant recipients and patients in dialysis treatment programs. Jewelry is available either as a bracelet or necklace. Requests must be made through the transplant or dialysis center.
Nutritional Supplement Program
Working with renal nutritionists in the dialysis centers, NKF-MD provides nutritional supplements on a short-term basis to help stabilize dialysis patients with extreme financial hardship and medical need. The Council on Renal Nutrition organizes conferences, the proceeds of which support this program.
Transportation
Funds are provided directly to dialysis centers to cover emergency transportation needs. For dialysis patients with limited financial means, reliable transportation to and from dialysis can become a major obstacle to treatment, especially if public transportation is used.
