DATE: Friday, June 20, 1997                 TAG: 9706190157

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THUMBS UP! 

SOURCE: BY JENNIFER JACOBSON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   91 lines

KIDNEY FOUNDATION OFFERS HELP, BUT FEW TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT DIALYSIS PATIENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE AVAILABLE SERVICES.

When William G. Zieger's kidneys failed in 1992, he thought he could still control the disease that his diabetes had caused.

He did not realize that eight months later the disease would take control of him. He neglected to follow the diet he needed to stay healthy, and in early 1993, he slipped into a diabetic coma.

When he awoke from his coma after three days, he and his wife, Elizabeth M. Zieger, realized they needed help.

They noticed a flier about a support group for people with kidney problems. The group was sponsored by the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation.

The support group is just one of many services the foundation provides. Dialysis patients - people who must undergo a medical procedure several times a week to clean out their kidneys - can find books, brochures and videos on kidney disease. They also can find dieticians and social workers who can give them advice about dealing with their illness. Everything is free.

But unlike the Ziegers, most of the more than 2,500 people in Hampton Roads who suffer from kidney disease are not taking advantage of the foundation's offerings, said David A. Efimetz, director of the Hampton Roads field office of the National Kidney Foundation. The foundation is based in New York City.

The lack of participation has foundation personnel concerned.

``The information is not getting to all the patients,'' said Sandy G. Holmes, a 27-year-old volunteer and chairwoman of patient services for the local Kidney Foundation chapter.

Holmes posts fliers about the foundation's programs in area dialysis units in hopes that patients and their families will participate.

Support group meetings usually include speakers and open discussions for patients to share their experiences with kidney disease.

Normally there's dismal attendance at the monthly meetings - only four or five people.

``We used to have a pretty good group,'' William Zieger said. ``But they just all kind of dropped out.''

Efimetz, the local Kidney Foundation director, said kidney patients may avoid using the foundation's services because they're in denial about their problems. And they hate the way the disease has taken control of their lives.

``Basically, people who have kidney failure have to be on dialysis or they die,'' Efimetz said.

Holmes said kidney disease sufferers are forced to undergo dialysis three to five times a week, for up to five hours at a time.

``I think that a lot of people think their whole life is out of their hands,'' she said.

``I think a lot of patients take control by eating what they want,'' she said. ``There are a lot of foods and fluids dialysis patients can't have.''

Efimetz said many patients also won't go to support group meetings because they believe kidney disease is a death sentence.

``They feel like they're at the end of their life,'' Elizabeth Zieger said. ``It's not a terminal disease. It's a chronic disease.''

The foundation offers many ways to help patients cope.

There are grants for patients, for example. Kidney disease sufferers often have financial problems, because their medical bills are so high.

``They won't make the light bill, and will choose between medication and shoes for the kids,'' Efimetz said.

Foundation volunteers also solicit donations of air conditioners, which are given to dialysis patients who can't afford to buy them. That's important for people with severe fluid restrictions.

``Their kidneys aren't working,'' Holmes said. ``They're not getting rid of any fluids. Everything they drink stays in them.

``Too much fluid will cause heart muscles to expand. People may have congestive heart failure. When it gets hot you drink more. If this happens patients go into fluid overload.''

The foundation is supported entirely by private donations. So volunteers have to be creative.

Efimetz and others have come up with fund-raisers like a Crazy 8 bowling tournament, which was held in April at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. The tournament raised $6,200.

The foundation also has found success with a program that allows people to donate used vehicles. If the vehicles run, they're sold outright. If they are junkers, they're sold for parts. The proceeds go to the foundation, and contributors get a tax deduction. About 600 people donated cars last year. MEMO: The National Kidney Foundation's Hampton Roads Field office is at

Pembroke Four, 291 Independence Blvd., Suite 232. The phone number is

499-2760. Support group meetings, which are free and open to the public,

are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

at the foundation office. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

Sandy Holmes, from left, and David Efimetz, of the Kidney

Foundation, have helped patient William Zieger and his wife,

Elizabeth.

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