Fresenius Medical Care and Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. Bring “Flavor of Bold” to Atlanta Event with American Diabetes Associat...

To help celebrate National Kidney Month in March, Chef Aaron McCargo Jr., sponsored by Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, will put his cooking skills on display in Atlanta to help show dialysis patients – and those at-risk due to diabetes – how to cook up dialysis-friendly meals packed with bold flavors. At this first stop in a series of visits across the U.S., Chef McCargo will put on a healthy cooking demonstration at the American Diabetes Association Focus: Stop Diabetes event and will also visit a local clinic to meet with dialysis patients and staff.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for about 44 percent of the people who start treatment for kidney failure each year. To help raise awareness of the links between diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), Chef McCargo will put on a live cooking demonstration at the American Diabetes Association Focus: Stop Diabetes event, which is open to the public on March 31 at the Cobb Galleria Center, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Following the demonstration, Chef McCargo and FMCNA dietitians will meet with attendees.

While in Atlanta, Chef McCargo will be visiting a new FMCNA facility, Fresenius Medical Care Acworth, where he will talk with patients and dietitians about how to cook the flavorful meals that he created for the renal diet. He will also taste test dishes created by clinic dietitians. For more information on Chef McCargo’s visit to Atlanta, please visit the FMCNA event page.

“People with diabetes as well as those with kidney failure are always being told what they can’t eat, and that’s why we’re so excited to have Chef McCargo at our event this year. He will show attendees his ‘Flavor of Bold’ cuisine and how they can still enjoy food despite strict dietary restrictions,” said Mike Gault, senior executive director, American Diabetes Association, Atlanta/North Georgia Region.

CKD and kidney failure disproportionately affect African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians and senior citizens, and being overweight also increases the chances of developing CKD. There is an association because these groups are at higher risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, and it’s important for them to get regular screenings and be more aware of their overall health.

“People with diabetes need to understand the risks of kidney failure and get regular screenings, because early detection and treatment can help prevent further kidney damage and slow the progression of kidney disease,” said Cathy Hamilton, MS, R.N., regional vice president at FMCNA.

In collaboration with FMCNA dietitians, Chef McCargo is creating new recipes to demonstrate that dialysis-friendly cooking can not only be easy but can also satisfy the desire for better-tasting meals, which leads to a better life on dialysis. Throughout 2012, Chef McCargo will make additional appearances on behalf of Fresenius Medical Care across the U.S. He will meet with patients and dietitians to raise awareness of good nutrition for the dialysis population. Please visit FMCNA's A Better Life on Dialysis website for more information.

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, usually permanent loss of kidney function. When CKD leads to kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the only treatments are a kidney transplant or dialysis.

About Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) is the world’s leading company devoted to patient-oriented renal therapy. Through more than 2,890 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to approximately 233,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world's leading maker of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure is a condition that affects more than 2.1 million individuals worldwide.

For more information about the company’s more than 1850 U.S. dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.

About Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.

Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. competed on and won season four of “The Next Food Network Star” in 2008, beating out thousands of culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show. “Big Daddy’s House” premiered in 2008 and continues to be a success. On “Big Daddy’s House,” Aaron shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking. From comfort foods to barbeque favorites to breakfast delights, Aaron whips up mouth-watering recipes inspired by many years of culinary experience and his fun-loving family while bringing a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen. He recently published his first cookbook, “Simply Done, Well Done” and launched his own line of signature spices. Whether cooking with his children, relatives, friends, or even by himself, big food and big fun reign supreme.

About American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. For more information about Focus: Stop Diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org/focusatlanta or call 1-888-DIABETES x3113.