The National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee will conduct a free health screening for people at increased risk for kidney disease on Friday, June 20, from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the United Way of Blount County office in Maryville, Tennessee. 

The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is a free health screening program designed to help identify and educate individuals at increased risk - those who either have diabetes and/or hypertension or have first- degree relatives (parents, grandparents or siblings) 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.
With education, detection and if necessary, medical intervention, kidney disease or kidney failure can be prevented from ever developing.

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 is on-site to review results with participants. All screening participants receive educational material about preventing and treating kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

One in nine adults in East Tennessee has some form of chronic kidney disease.  The National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee urges individuals who may be at risk to attend the free screening to learn how improving or maintaining their health and getting proper medical attention may prevent or delay the onset of kidney disease.

For information on upcoming screenings in your area or to schedule a KEEP screening at your business, church, or organization contact the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee at (865) 688-5481 or email at danae.miley@kidney.org.

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Is the weather hot enough for you?  For some, it's hotter than others.

That is why on June 20 United Way of Blount County will be accepting donations of fans and air conditioner units to be distributed through the Blount County Community Action Agency. 

Kay Garrison, program director with the Blount County Community Action Agency, is working with United Way to ensure those in need get relief from the heat. 

"After two weeks of 90 degree temperatures, we've received requests on a daily basis, and it's only going to get worse," Garrison said. 

United Way hopes to collect 100 fans and air conditioners through this one-day event.

Dubbed Project Cool Breeze, the effort is part of United Way of Blount County's Day of Action, which also includes the launch of the organization's new website and an open house for its newly revamped Nonprofit Training and Resource Center.

The new website, liveunitedblount.org, will launch June 20 and will tout several new features, including an improved blog, interactive volunteer log-in section, and downloadable content. 

United Way of Blount County President and CEO Michelle Hankes hopes liveunitedblount.org becomes the one stop shop for information about area nonprofits.

"Our new site has all a person needs to learn about United Way and how to make Blount County stronger through giving, advocating, and volunteering," said Hankes.

The organization's current website, unitedwayblount.org, will remain active and will mirror the new website's content when it goes live Friday.

That day, United Way of Blount County's Nonprofit Training and Resource Center will host an open house from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to unveil its new technologically advanced library, including a computer terminal dedicated to researching and writing grants. 

Chairman of the Nonprofit Training and Resource Center Ken Smither said, "The center has experienced tremendous growth in the last several months through collaborations with the Blount County Chamber Foundation and the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College, and we're planning on expanding the center's services even more through collaborations like these."

During the open house, the center will present information promoting its new services, and refreshments will be served.

For more information about United Way of Blount County, please call 865-982-2251 or visit unitedwayblount.org.

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United Way of Blount County's Nonprofit Training and Resource Center will present a training and enrichment seminar June 4 on the campus of Maryville College.

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