After experiencing kidney disease, dialysis, receiving a kidney transplant and becoming involved with the National Kidney Foundation serving Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa, Jerome Bill Aiken remains focused on giving back -- this time, at a National level. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) announced Aiken, current Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation’s Minnesota Board of Directors, was named to NKF’s 2012 National Board of Directors. Aiken was also elected Chairman of NKF’s National Leadership Council Committee.
Aiken has been involved with the National Kidney Foundation since he received his kidney transplant in 2006. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in Minnesota in 2010. “Bill has been a dynamic leader for NKF since the day he walked into our organization,” said Paul Olson, MD who is a Minnesota Board Member and Nephrologist at Ridgeview Medical Center. “It is because of Bill’s hard work and connections that we have been able to implement free kidney health screenings through the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) in the metro area.”
Jill Evenocheck, Division President, said, “Bill has great passion for our mission and a tremendous set of business skills that we have utilized to grow our organization.”
Aiken is currently employed at Coldwell Banker Burnet. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He has received many professional awards and is an active member of the community through his participation in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, programs at various YMCA’s including the Black Achievers Program and coaching youth basketball. Aiken is also a volunteer speaker at the Hennepin County DaVita Dialysis Center, talking to patients and their families about his experience with dialysis and transplant.
“After I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2005 and received my transplant in 2006, I was determined to get involved with the National Kidney Foundation. My personal goal is to help educate the public about various aspects of kidney disease,” Aiken stated. “I reach out to local organizations, churches and communities to educate individuals about the rise in kidney disease among Americans, the high risk of kidney failure for minority communities and how kidney disease can affect an individual’s health and well being. Since prevention is a key piece to this puzzle, I also educate about ways to prevent kidney disease, who is at risk for kidney disease and the importance of getting screened for kidney disease.”
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease and there are 20 million more who are at risk and don’t even know it. Risk factors include having hypertension, diabetes or a first degree relative with hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease. As of May 2011, KEEP has screened over 160,000 individuals who are at risk for kidney disease. To find a KEEP near you, visit www.kidney.org.
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc. is the major voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. The NKF achieves life-saving results today through the contributions of a generous public including participation in NKF signature initiatives such as the Kidney Walk, the NKF Cadillac Golf Classic and the Kidney Cars Vehicle Donation program.
For more information about the NKF’s signature initiatives or to make a donation, please visit www.kidney.org.
