A Statewide Commitment to Prevention
The Texas Kidney Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. (Renal Education and Action for Community Health) Program is built on a simple but powerful idea: prevention is the smartest investment. By bringing kidney health screenings and education directly into communities, R.E.A.C.H. helps Texans identify chronic kidney disease (CKD) early, when it can be addressed most effectively. The program reflects TKF’s commitment to upstream care, reducing the human and financial toll of kidney disease across our state.
Comprehensive, Accessible Screenings
At each R.E.A.C.H. event, participants receive free health screenings that include eGFR, uACR, HbA1c, cholesterol, and blood pressure checks. For individuals at higher risk, genetic testing for APOL1 and other markers is also available. Screening for these indicators addresses CKD in its earliest stages, where intervention costs are minimal. Without detection, costs escalate exponentially—from $16,770 per patient at stage 2 to more than $120,000 annually at ESRD. R.E.A.C.H. interrupts this costly trajectory by ensuring Texans receive critical information before the disease advances.
Education That Empowers
R.E.A.C.H. pairs screening with education designed to turn knowledge into action. Through one-on-one counseling, group workshops, and easy-to-understand resources, participants learn how to interpret their results, understand their risks, and take practical steps to protect their health. Whether it’s nutrition guidance, managing blood pressure or diabetes, or preparing questions for their physician, R.E.A.C.H. ensures every participant leaves equipped to make informed decisions. With tools like the KDIGO Heat Map and “10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor,” Texans are empowered to advocate for their own health.
Impact for Texans and Policymakers
The outcomes are measurable. By catching kidney disease in its earliest stages, R.E.A.C.H. helps prevent costly progression to dialysis, which can exceed $90,000 per patient per year, compared to less than $1,000 for early detection and management. With thousands already screened, the program has proven its ability to lower long-term healthcare costs, strengthen families, and improve community health. For donors, R.E.A.C.H. represents a high-impact investment; for policymakers, it is a scalable, prevention-first model that reduces Medicare and Medicaid expenditures while building healthier communities across Texas.