Dialysis at National Convention

Dialysis at National Convention

Dialysis at National Convention

by Ed Bryant

From the Editor: Ed Bryant is President of the

Diabetes Action Network, a division of the National Federation of the Blind. In the

following little article he provides important information for anyone on dialysis who is

planning to attend the 1999 convention in Atlanta. This is what Ed says:

During this year's convention of the National

Federation of the Blind in Atlanta Wednesday, June 30, through Tuesday, July 6, dialysis

will be available. The convention will take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265

Peachtree Center in downtown Atlanta. Those requiring dialysis must have a transient

patient packet and physician's statement filled out prior to treatment. Conventioneers

must have their unit contact the desired location in the Atlanta area for instructions

well in advance.

Individuals will be responsible for, and prior to

each treatment must pay out of pocket, the approximately $30 not covered by Medicare plus

any additional physician's fees and any charges for other medications.

Dialysis centers should set up transient dialysis

locations at least three months in advance. This helps assure a location for anyone

wanting to dialyze. There are many centers in the Atlanta area, but the city is large, so

early reservation is strongly recommended if you wish to avoid long taxi rides.

Here are some dialysis locations:

* Dialysis Clinic, Inc., Piedmont, 120 Piedmont

Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone (404) 888-4510.

* Dialysis Clinic, Inc., West Peachtree, 820 West

Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, telephone (404) 888-4520.

* Gambro Healthcare (on Ralph McGill), 448 Ralph

McGill Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30312, telephone (404) 872-7211.

* Gambro Healthcare Atlanta, 400 Decatur Street,

Atlanta, Georgia 30312, telephone (404) 577-9097.

* Gambro Healthcare Peachtree, 524 West Peachtree

Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, telephone (404) 249-1563.

Please remember to schedule dialysis treatments

early, to ensure space. If scheduling assistance is needed, have your dialysis unit's

social worker contact Diabetes Action Network President Ed Bryant at (573) 875-8911. See

you in Atlanta.