SEATTLE, April 19, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Kidney Centers has launched a campaign to raise $1.5 million of the $5 million needed to turn its 700 Broadway building into a comprehensive kidney resource center. The center supports the three key areas of the nonprofit's mission – patient care, education and research.

Northwest Kidney Centers, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as the first dialysis organization in the world – has already raised $1.25 million thanks to early gifts.

A lead gift of $450,000 was made from the estate of John and Susie Morganti, long-time supporters of the organization. PACCAR Inc, a supporter of Northwest Kidney Centers for 46 years, donated $100,000.

"This new comprehensive kidney resource center – unique in the United States – will house an array of patient-focused services," said Joyce F. Jackson, chief executive and president of Northwest Kidney Centers. "In addition to an updated community dialysis clinic, the center will house our expanded kidney-specialty pharmacy and a clinical research center for kidney research."

The building also will include three new conference rooms, an education and training center for new dialysis patients, and a demonstration kitchen to expand teaching and learning opportunities for patients, families, physicians and the community.

The first floor will include a Heritage Gallery showcasing important artifacts that illustrate Northwest Kidney Centers' standing as the first out-of-hospital dialysis provider in the world.

"We want this to be a valuable resource for all of our patients and their families – a place where they can learn about ways to improve their health and manage their disease," Jackson said.

The new facility benefits people who face the epidemic of chronic kidney disease, which affects one in seven American adults.

The capital campaign is co-chaired by Steve Huebner, partner with KPMG, LLP, and Clint Randolph, retired Boeing senior manager. Campaign cabinet members are Connie Anderson, RN, vice president of clinical operations at Northwest Kidney Centers; Gary Bylund, executive vice president of Kibble & Prentice, Inc.; Deborah Crabbe, attorney with Foster Pepper, PLLC; Dr. Cyrus Cryst, nephrologist/nephrology section head of Virginia Mason Medical Center; Dr. Lisa Florence, director of the Kidney Transplant Program, Swedish Health Services; Gary Houlahan, president of Mutual Materials Co.; Joyce F. Jackson, CEO and president of Northwest Kidney Centers; Dr. Michael Kelly, clinical professor of medicine, Division of Nephrology, Harborview Medical Center; Steve Meyers, senior vice president with RBC Wealth Management; and David Wilde, chief financial officer of TTF Aerospace, LLC.

Anyone wishing more information about donating should contact Northwest Kidney Centers Gift Planning Officer Larry Richards at 206-720-8550 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About Northwest Kidney Centers: In 2012, Northwest Kidney Centers is celebrating 50 years since its founding as the first dialysis organization in the world. The nonprofit provides the majority of dialysis care in King and Clallam counties, educates the public about kidney health, and collaborates with UW Medicine in the Kidney Research Institute. Northwest Kidney Centers' staff of 565 delivers more than 226,000 treatments per year in 14 dialysis centers and almost all of the area's hospitals, as well as supervising more than 200 people who give themselves dialysis at home. Learn more at www.nwkidney.org.

SOURCE Northwest Kidney Centers

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