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Fresenius Medical Care Honors Willowbrook Dialysis Patient as One of 20 U.S. “Champions in Motion” Company Honors Patients Who Prioritize Fitness and Health WILLOWBROOK, Ill. – April 4, 2012 – Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, today announced that Timmie Buford at Fresenius Medical Care Willowbrook has been named a Champion in Motion. FMCNA's Champions in Motion are dialysis patients who, in spite of dealing with chronic kidney failure, have made a commitment to regular physical activity, whether it’s a morning walk or jog, a bike ride, or a night of square dancing. Buford is recognized as a Champion in Motion because he is proactive about his health care, maintains a healthy dialysis-friendly diet and gets regular exercise. A former minor-league player for the Chicago White Sox, Buford pursues his passion for baseball by coaching at a local high school. In addition, he enjoys lifting weights, biking, and walking to and from his dialysis treatments. The Champions in Motion program is an integral part of FMCNA’s new Healthy Lifestyle initiative, which is aimed at helping people with kidney failure live a better life on dialysis. It encourages them to become more physically active, eat healthy diets and enjoy more flexible lifestyles. In 2012, FMCNA will honor 20 dialysis patients as Champions in Motion, including Buford. Healthcare teams at dialysis clinics across the U.S. nominated patients, and a board composed of participants from various clinical and medical disciplines within FMCNA selected the final 20 national Champions. Winners were chosen from more than 135,000 FMCNA patients. “After I started exercising more and eating a healthier diet, I noticed that my dialysis results improved and my energy level was better,” says Buford. “I enjoy talking to other patients about the importance of finding an activity that will keep them motivated and active, because it has made a big difference in my life.” At FMCNA facilities, dialysis patients can discuss how to increase their physical activity level with their healthcare team, including a nephrologist, nephrology nurse, social worker and dietitian. This team can help create a customized program for patients at all fitness levels. Fitness often starts with simple changes to a patient's daily routine, and there are a number of health benefits associated with regular exercise, including: keeping the heart and other muscles strong; increasing flexibility in joints; improving circulation, digestion, and sleep; and controlling blood pressure and body weight. “Being physically active is important for all people with chronic kidney disease, especially those with end-stage renal disease, who require either dialysis or a kidney transplant,” said Dugan W. Maddux, MD, FACP, vice president, Chronic Kidney Disease Initiatives at FMCNA. “Many patients find that they feel better on dialysis if they are active. Part of our job is to help patients find activities that are right for them, no matter what level of activity they are used to. Everyone can do something.” At FMCNA’s A Better Life on Dialysis website, patients can find fitness tips, videos, and other information about staying active and maintaining a healthy diet. For more information about kidney disease and dialysis, call toll free at 1-888-325-5175. About Fresenius Medical Care |