Drive for Five: Healthier

The incoming administration under our nation’s 47th president faces a tough reality: Most pre-election polls suggested 75% of Americans don’t like the direction of the country.

Wouldn’t you know it? Recent estimates also have 75% of Americans with issues with excessive weight. "Drive for Five" has been banging the drum since creation, “Excessive weight plays a huge role in diabetes and high-blood pressure.” Tragically, this terrible trio of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are the main kidney killers.

This costs our country far too many lives and way too much taxpayer money. Medicare and Medicaid cover almost all costs of end-stage kidney disease, estimated to cost about $70,000 per patient. Do the math. There’s about 550,000 Americans on dialysis today. That number is expected to zoom to a million in the next decade.

That Soviet leader of long ago, Nikita Krushchev? When he uttered to words, about the demise of America, “We won’t have to fire a shot.” The dude might be spot on. America’s poor eating habits, inequities in health care and lack of exercise are enemies from within.

Say what you want about the incoming leadership team. This much your scribe knows from personal experience. A journey with Amyloidosis destroying my kidneys, requiring chemo and dialysis to fight off and then a gift of live organ transplant from superstar Cathie Hitchcock?

Everyone, regardless of political philosophy, color, age or bottom line, must work collectively to make America healthy again. Here in Colorado? The University of Colorado Health Care system and CU Buffs’ head football coach Deion Sanders have been running a campaign for quite some time. It’s called, “Ready, Set, CO!” It’s a plea to Centennial State citizens to get in better shape.

Colorado used to take pride being the, “Healthiest state in the country.” Not anymore. The beautiful and mountainous state has slipped outside the top ten. To sound the alarm, the health care system uses the personable Prime.

Is anybody listening? Doesn’t seem so. By most accounts since the turn of the century, societal disruptions and the life-changing pandemic, Americans have seen obesity rise from half to 75%.

That ain’t good.

Excessive weight opens the gate to high blood pressure and diabetes. Again, the kidney killers. Which leads to dialysis to fight off death and, if fortunate, a transplant from a liver donor, not deceased. A wonderful soul and healthy individual knows they can share their spare and safe the life of another? Holy smokes.

I immediately think of DFF ambassador, Crissy Perham. She’s awesome. Donated a kidney to Dick Franklin, father of Olympic swimming star, Missy. Perham was pretty good too. The former University of Arizona standout won two golds and a silver at the ’92 Barcelona Games. The fiery Iowa native, when talking about sharing her spare, loves to say. “It’s better than gold and silver.” Amen sister.

We need more live organ donors. Here’s more info for anybody intrigued: https://shorturl.at/k9mT4

But this is about America’s self-inflicted wounds. We need a new course. Much like kidney disease that’s bad and getting worse, same for the health of our country. The two are directly connected. Why?

Excessive weight, diabetes and high blood pressure are major culprits in America’s health decline. The new administration’s barking about “Making America Healthy Again.” Amen to that battle cry. Physical wellness must be emphasized more stringently in our schools. Bring back the “Presidential Physical Fitness Awards” of long ago.

The health care industry financially is doing quite well at the expense of its constituents. But you can’t blame the industry. Thank God they are present. When I got diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder and its destruction of vital organs? Care at Fresenius, UC-Health and AdventHealth Colorado has been excellent. The first two kept a fella alive and the latter placed that incredible gift into my groin area. It’s sparked a new lease on life. Damn grateful for all care givers, especially nurses who deal with me.

Here’s the meaning of the message. Come on folks. Let’s shape up together. Community recreation centers. Come one, come all. We’ll build a stronger cord to one another and get healthier in so many ways.