GLENDALE, CA - Prom season comes early for
hundreds of teens with kidney disease. Renal
Support Network (RSN) goes back to school to
host the 12th Annual Renal Teen Prom on Sunday,
January 16, 2011 at Notre Dame High School in
Sherman Oaks, California (a suburb in Los
Angeles) from 6pm - 11pm.
Themed "Out of this World," the Renal Teen Prom
is the inspiration of Lori Hartwell, RSN's
President and Founder, who missed her own
prom due to kidney disease. "Many teenagers with
kidney disease miss large amounts of school and
their own prom because of prolonged absences due
to health issues," said Hartwell. "The Renal
Teen Prom brings these young people together to
share their experiences, strengths and hopes
with other kidney teens. It lets them know they
are not alone and that one friend can make a
difference."
Set in the style of a gala senior prom, over 400
teens and young adults, ages ranging from 14 to
24-years-old, who are on dialysis, pre-dialysis
or with a transplant will receive an evening of
glamour, fun and excitement. The prom attracts
not only Southern California teens, but teens
from across the United States: Washington,
Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Colorado
and New Jersey.
RSN, a nonprofit organization that provides
non-medical services and support to those
affected by chronic kidney disease,
will be providing an enchanted evening for young
people to experience a night of dancing,
entertainment, dinner and hors d'oeuvres,
limousine rides, glamour photos and appearances
by Hollywood celebrities who sign
autographs, mingle and show their support. This
year, RSN is thrilled to have as a special
guest, "America's Got Talent" star magician,
Michael Grasso, who was one of the top-ten
finalists on the show. As a three-time kidney
transplant recipient, Grasso has a personal
connection to kidney disease and can relate to
and inspire young people who attend this
memorable event.
RSN's Renal Teen Prom has caught the attention
and support of Hollywood celebrities. Previous
attendance have included: Jack Black
("Gulliver's Travels"); Saige Ryan Campbell ("I
Heart Huckabees"); Beto Cuevas (La Ley former
lead singer); Pam Dawber ("Mork & Mindy");
Kristen Dunst ("Spider Man"); Stephen Furst
("Animal House"); Mark Harmon ("NCIS"); John
McCook ("The Bold and the Beautiful"); Phillip
Palmer (KABC News Anchor); Alfonso Ribeiro ("The
Fresh Prince of Bel Air"); Sinbad ("Houseguest"
and Comedian); Mark Dacascos ("Iron Chef
America"); Lacey Heward (kidney patient and
World Cup Mono-Ski Champion); Joe Hahn (Linkin
Park DJ); Roger Lodge ("Blind Date" and radio
host of "The sportsLodge"); Manny on the Streets
(KIIS-FM DJ); Gary Sinise ("CSI: NY"); Alexa
Vega ("Spy Kids") and Michael Welch ("Joan of
Arcadia" and "Twilight").
To
ensure that everyone in attendance feels
elegant, evening gowns will be
donated for the women and ties for the young
men. Transportation to the prom from
Southern California areas can be provided.
Notre Dame High School students, alumni and RSN
volunteers devote an entire weekend decorating
the school gymnasium for the prom. The room will
feature extravagant decorations by Hollywood
movie and television professionals including
set designer, Dan Proett, from the
Emmy-award winning daytime drama, "General
Hospital" and Tony Ward from PRG
(lighting for the Academy Awards,
Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards),
among others. The community (patients, health
care professionals, family members and numerous
volunteers) comes together to make this special
event an annual success and a celestial night
teens will never forget.
For more information about the Renal Teen Prom,
to make a donation or for an invitation, the
public should contact Renal Support Network at
(866) 903-1728 or visit
www.RSNhope.org.
-
16.8% of all adults in the United States (1 in
6) are in one of the five stages of
chronic kidney disease (CKD).
-
Nearly half of the people in the early stages of
CKD are not even aware that they have problems
with their kidneys.
-
The main causes of CKD in the United States are
Diabetes and Hypertension (high blood pressure)
-
These ethnic groups are at greater risk for
developing CKD: African-Americans, Hispanics,
Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans
since diabetes and hypertension are more common
among members of these ethnic groups.
-
Over 83,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a
kidney.
About Renal Support Network (www.RSNhope.org):
Renal Support Network is a nonprofit,
patient-focused, patient-run organization that
provides non-medical services to those affected
by chronic kidney disease. RSN strives to
motivate and assist patients in developing their
personal coping skills, special talents, and
employability by educating and empowering them
(and their family members) to take control of
the course and management of their disease Renal
Support Network values people with kidney
disease and helps them become self-sufficient
through education, advocacy, and hope for a
better tomorrow.