The Dallas Examiner
DALLAS
African Americans are three times more likely to develop kidney failure than White Americans. Despite that fact that African Americans make up only 12 percent of the U.S. population, African Americans make up 35 percent of patients awaiting kidney transplants, according to the Southwest Transplant Alliance.
Nearly half of African Americans have at least one risk factor for kidney disease, yet less than 3 percent believe it’s a serious medical concern. Furthermore, kidney disease has no symptoms and can go unnoticed until it has reached an advanced stage, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
At a rate of 80 percent, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, stated Mark Davis, NKF regional program director. High blood pressure is the second leading cause. Other causes are autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases, nephritic syndrome and urinary tract problems.
“The main focus is people need to watch their salt intake and not overload on sodium,” Davis said.
Another factor in kidney failure is obesity.
“Obesity increases the risk of developing major risk factors of chronic kidney disease,” Davis said. “Like diabetes and high-blood pressure, it has a direct impact on the development of CKD and end stage renal disease. The good news is that obesity, as well as CKD, is largely preventable.”
Janice Gammons, a dialysis nurse with U.S. Liberty Center in Wylie, said there are a lot of myths About what the kidneys actually do.
“They filter waste products,” Gammons said.
In order to help patients and those suffering from end stage renal disease, the NKF is sponsoring a Kidney Walk on Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Levitt Pavilion, located at 100 W. Abram St. in Arlington. For more information and registration, visit http://www.kidney.org.
DALLAS
The 26th annual Kidd’s Kids trip to Walt Disney World is scheduled for Nov. 16-20 for many families whose children suffer from debilitating illnesses and physical challenges.
The five-day trip is a rare opportunity for Kidd’s Kids and their families to escape hospitals and treatment centers and share laughter, fun and all the excitement of the magical environment that a Walt Disney World getaway can offer.
“This trip is a blessing to everyone involved, from the kids and their families to all of us who are blessed to join them,” said Caroline Kraddick, Kidd’s daughter and CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Kidd’s Kids. “We can’t wait to start receiving applications this year so we can begin the process of inviting dozens of beautiful kids to join us on our annual trip to the magical world of Disney.”
Children selected for the trip are between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, suffer from a life-altering or life-threatening medical condition, demonstrate a financial need and reside in one of the areas in which the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick Morning Show airs.
Kraddick will once again lead this year’s trip, along with the cast of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show.
The Kraddick Foundation covers all expenses and coordinates the entire experience, which includes airfare, hotel, park passes, meals, transportation, spending money, a special Disney character breakfast, two live broadcasts of the show, gifts and mementos from the trip. Most of the funding comes from donations made by listeners of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, corporate partners and various fundraising events.
Kidd’s Kids, founded in 1991, is a program of the Kraddick Foundation. Both programs were developed on the premise of creating beautiful memories for children with life-altering and life-threatening medical conditions.
Due to thousands of generous contributions, the foundation has had the opportunity to take more than 1,000 children and their families – over 3,750 people in total – on an all-expenses-paid dream vacation over the past 25 years.
Applications are available for download now through July 7 at http://www.kiddskids.com. To have an application mailed, emailed or faxed, call 972-432-8595 or email lyndsay@kraddickfoundation.com.
DALLAS
Introduction to Live Video Streaming on a Shoestring Budget will be held May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is designed for anyone in ministry, emerging small/medium churches or small business owners that may be interested in accelerating the growth of their online community or launching an internet ministry using live video streaming. The training will include an introduction to live streaming, choosing a platform, single vs. multi-camera production, converting files, recruiting a team, setting goals and more. Sherry Bronson, owner of Bronson Media, will be the instructor for the workshop. Bronson is a motivational speaker, television talk show host and media producer with nine years of experience in digital media.
The workshop will be held at Bronson Media Studio in Ste. 860, located at 2520 Electronic Lane. Registration cost will include informative print material. For more information and registration, visit http://www.bronsondigitalmedia.com.
CEDAR HILL
Cedar Valley College, in collaboration with Continuing Education, launched a series of training classes designed to assist faith-based organizations vulnerable to attacks at the CVC Cedar Hill location, located at 3030 N. Dallas Ave.
The training involves comprehensive training from professional counselors, law enforcement commanders, safety security experts, marketing managers and clergy to meet the needs and challenges of all stakeholders responsible for managing congregations.
The training courses will focus on stressing how lack of preparation can impact a congregation for generations to come, reviewing the current safety environment, providing key information and strategies for a comprehensive safety management plan.
The next scheduled sessions are April 29, May 6 and May 20. For more information and registration, contact RePaula Tate at 214-801-7108 or aimsinfo@aimsconsulting-training.com or Chief Anthony Williams at 972-860-8286 or awwilliams@dcccd.edu.
DALLAS
Joe May, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, and the Tri-Ethnic Chambers will be holding a meet and greet welcoming Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax May 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the DCCCD Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development, located at 1402 N. Corinth St.
Attendees will be able to enjoy food and drinks while networking with city officials, chamber members, and DCCCD leaders.
To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.
DALLAS
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson honored 106 Dallas high school students from her congressional district that submitted their artwork for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.
An independent panel of four judges reviewed each piece at a gallery event in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center April 21 and selected a winner. Johnson announced Aisha Mpiana, a sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, as the grand prize winner of the competition. Mpiana will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., as the winner representing the 30th district. She will join other winners from across the country for a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol to recognize their work. And her artwork will be displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
Orlando Campbell, a freshman at South Grand Prairie High School, was the second prize winner, Malik Miles, a senior at DeSoto High School, finished third. Their artwork is currently displayed at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
“The artwork that hangs here today reflects the Dallas Metroplex’s vibrant arts and cultural scene,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
The annual Congressional Art Competition offers the opportunity for one high school student from each congressional district to have their artwork displayed in the United States Capitol.
Schools that participated in this year’s competition included The Canterbury School, South Grand Prairie High School, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center High School, Skyline Magnet High School, David W. Carter High School, Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Lancaster High School, Grand Prairie Fine Arts High School, Moises E. Molina High School, John Leslie Patton Jr. Academic Center, Seagoville High School, DeSoto High School, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School and Duncanville High School.