Iya was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of seven, and subsequently lost her kidneys ten years later. Through the support and charitable effort of her family, friends, and her community, Iya was able to get a transplant in August of 2005. Upon receipt of her transplant, Iya has made a commitment to helping low income individuals who suffer from end stage renal disease, as well as educate,
inform, and create awareness of kidney disease amongst minorities, especially the African immigrant community. Also part of her mission; is the pursuit of bringing up to par; impoverished dialysis clinics in Africa. In the past, The Iya Foundation, through its program The Iya Project (TIP) has organized educational, screening, and awareness programs. In July of 2011, The Iya Project organized a Barbeque Fundraiser to create awareness on Kidney disease, and organ donation. In attendance were about 100 people who were screened for high blood pressure, and diabetes; the two leading causes of end stage renal disease (, ESRD, kidney failure). Also, though presentations of personal experience by patients suffering from kidney disease, educational hand outs, and fliers on kidney disease and organ donation, our audience left satisfied with a better understanding of kidney disease and organ donation. In addition, TIP made educational and informative presentations at different cultural, ethnic, schools, and church forums.In August of 2012, TIP organized an annual walk and barbeque fundraiser that again screened attendees for high blood pressure and diabetes. Our attendees did a one mile walk around Roosevelt Park in Edison NJ to further create awareness on kidney disease and organ donation. Also present, where guest speakers from The Sharing Network of NJ, Organ Recipients, and ESRD patients. It was a success, as we reached more than 100 individuals who gained educational and personal knowledge on how to prevent kidney disease, take care of patients with kidney disease, how to manage kidney disease, and the facts of organ donation. This year and in the years ahead, TIP will have its annual walk and barbeque fundraiser, educational and awareness presentations in different communities, groups, events, etc, as well as charitable donations to qualified ESRD patients. So far, The Iya Foundation, through TIP has amassed donations of about $9000+, which will go towards planning other educational and awareness programs, as well as to their charitable cause of assisting low income end stage renal disease patients. The Iya Foundation, through its programs, intends to continue its goal of educating and creating awareness on kidney disease and organ donations; especially amongst minorities who make up the greater part of the list of ESRD patients, and stay longest on the transplant list; as well as raise funds through public, and private contributions, and grants, to assist low income ESRD patients. The Iya Foundation further aims to extend its educational and awareness programs to less developed countries, in an effort to minimize kidney disease, manage and improve care for chronic kidney disease patients, increase access to dialysis treatment for ESRD patients, enhance education/skill level of kidney care professionals, encourage organ donation; and through funding; bring up to par impoverished dialysis clinics or open new ones. Through its Face book page The Iya Project, and its website, www.theiyaproject.org, as well as other social media, The Iya Foundation continues to educate and create awareness of kidney disease and organ donation.
