Client Services

Here are some of the ways your generous donations help fund the unique services that are provided to patients and families of the Northwest Kidney Centers (NKC).

Charity Care Fund

NKC provides treatment to all who require it, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. When a patient's insurance and other funding sources are exhausted, large balances often remain. Our Charity Care Fund gifts helps to fill the gap.

Internet Access during Dialysis

NKC's unique program allows patients to access the Internet via chair-side laptops while on dialysis. Volunteers train patients on computer and Internet usage. Patients report that by using the Internet, they have turned "lost" time during dialysis into "found" time for work, study, or connecting with family and friends.

Nutritional Supplements

Essential dietary support is provided to patients with severe nutritional deficits that would otherwise compromise dialysis care and long-term survival.

Patient Rehabilitation Fund

Patients who participate in exercise or movement often have easier dialysis and better overall health. NKC has partnered with the YMCA of King County to provide exercise and rehabilitative services. YMCA waives the initiation fee, and NKC provides a portion of the monthly fee for low-income patients.

Transportation Assistance

Provides transportation for new dialysis patients in need, and taxi vouchers for patients who have waited for more than one hour for their scheduled rides.

Daily Dialysis Fund

NKC added daily dialysis as a new treatment option in 2001. This allows patients to dialyze more frequently (five to six times per week) from home.

New research shows that daily dialysis patients have more energy, need less medication, and report feeling better. Medicare only provides reimbursement for thrice-weekly treatments; gifts to the Daily Dialysis Fund contribute the balance.