Community Cause

The Shelby Lynette Belcher Student Gift Fund was established in September 2014 to bestow financial gifts support to exceptional gifted African American students who suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) or undergo kidney dialysis in the Baltimore City region. The gift award is presented yearly to one elementary, middle, and high school student based on academic, community, and financial needs. Kidney disease affects African Americans at an alarming rate than whites. In fact, African Americans makeup about 13 percent of the population, but account for 32 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States. 

Numerous children and teens experience the terrible effects of kidney disease from undergoing kidney dialysis to experiencing a loved suffering from kidney failure. Furthermore, low income has been strongly associated with chronic kidney disease among African Americans than it is among whites. As a result of this disparity, Urban Kidney Alliance, Inc. has established The Shelby Lynette Belcher Student Gift Fund to help support and assist African American students affected by kidney disease in the Baltimore Metropolitan region. No amount is too small or large!! Kidney disease can affect anyone young or old. Help support and honor exceptional students in the Baltimore region dealing with this tragic disease.

While African Americans make up about 13 percent of the population, they account for 32 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure among African Americans. According to a study published in the National Kidney Foundation's American Journal of Kidney Disease, low income is more strongly associated with chronic kidney disease among African Americans than it is among whites. 

African Americans who suffer from kidney failure and depend on a fixed monthly income experience extreme financial toil. Patients routinely encounter lack of financial resources to purchase much-needed dialysis medications, interrupted utility services, transportation to and from kidney dialysis treatment, and nutritional food supplements. 

All financial funds raised will support and sustain our Kidney Dialysis Assistance Fund (KDAF). The KDAF, assists and supports patients during times of financial hardship. Help support patients suffering from kidney disease and who may experience financial struggle in dealing with this disease. All donations are tax-deductible.