About The Project<\/h5><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1581401377824{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Iya foundation provides support efforts and outreach to low income and uninsured patients through a variety of outreach programs and financial resources.<\/p>\n\n- <\/i>Direct Financial assistance<\/li>\n
- <\/i>Fundraising through events<\/li>\n
- <\/i>Outreach programs<\/li>\n
- <\/i>Support from contributions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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2014 Recipients<\/h5><\/div><\/div>- Anna Biaka<\/span><\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/AnneB1-300x300.jpg\")
A teacher by profession, Anna Biaka is a stage 5 End-Stage Renal Disease patient and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation Financial Assistance Award. During a visit to the United States, Anna was diagnosed with Kidney Failure.<\/p>\n
She had been suffering from High Blood Pressure, which even though managed, her kidneys still failed as a result of the HBP damaging them. This was very hard on her and she was in denial, unable to believe the fact that she would have to depend on dialysis or a transplant to stay alive. Even harder was the fact that she would have to remain in the United States to start treatment, leaving behind her job and family in Buea Cameroon, where she worked as a teacher.<\/p>\n
This was a huge and drastic move for Anna, who would now be living in a strange land, sick and unable to work. The financial burden were overwhelming for her. Although Anna has some health coverage, she was unable to meet other expenses due to her lack of a steady income.<\/p>\n
Reaching out to the Iya Foundation, she was awarded financial assistance to help elevate the financial burden that came as a result of her kidney failure. Anna is very thankful to the Iya Foundation for having selected her as one of the recipients.<\/p>\n
\u2018I was very happy, elated, and appreciative of all the efforts put by TIF in making this happen. I wish to thank you all for this award and hope to be connected to your foundation by joining the advocacy to help raise awareness about kidney disease. I count myself blessed to have been chosen for this award. I hope to work with you for the support of kidney disease patients\u2019; says Anna who plans to use the award to help with purchasing her medications with ease, paying her bus fare to and from the dialysis center, and in affording the types of foods she needs to be eating in coping with dialysis.<\/p>\n
Anna congratulates the Iya Foundation for the giant step it is taking to increase awareness of kidney disease, reaching out to patients, giving them hope, improving lives, and letting them know that is not the end of their lives but a beginning of a new life style.<\/p>\n
Anna plans to visit her home country of Cameroon in the near future and to reach out to other kidney patients battling kidney disease by giving them hope to live a healthy life, as well as educate them on being compliant with treatment.<\/p>\n
Anna\u2019s advice to other dialysis patients is that \u2018diagnosis of kidney disease is not the end of one\u2019s life but the beginning of a new life style \u2013 manageable with proper treatment, awareness, and education on the disease to empower and be better able to combat the disease. She further advises them to be compliant with treatment, eat moderately and healthily, and to drink less fluids to avoid retention and over load which could lead to heart problems.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation is glad this assistance will be of significant help to Anna\u2019s her day to day struggle in living with ESRD.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Denis Mbianda<\/span><\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dennisM-300x300.jpg\")
Denis is a 42 year old Cameroonian-American husband; father of three, and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation financial assistance award. A policy writer by profession, Denis has been unable to work due to End Stage Renal Disease.<\/p>\n
Denis lost his kidneys as a result of Diabetes and later on High Blood Pressure. Initially diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, Denis managed the disease with medications and dieting until 14 years later in 2011, when he developed edema in his feet and ankles. A visit to the doctor confirmed that he was suffering from kidney failure. Denis had to resort to dialysis treatment in order to stay alive.<\/p>\n
\u2018I go to dialysis 3 times a week; I get too weak that I am unable to work. I have uncontrolled nausea and vomiting\u2019, says Denis who is currently undergoing in-clinic hemo dialysis therapy and currently on the transplant list.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation was able to award Denis a financial assistance award to help him resolve some of his financial burden, especially having to depend solely on his wife\u2019s income. \u2018I have financial difficulties in meeting up with my daily dose of nepro (protein); but thanks to TIF, I will be able to afford my full supply now\u2019, says Denis who was very appreciative of his award, stating he was \u2018very happy because it was the very first time getting an assistance from any kidney association\u2019.<\/p>\n
As an advise to other dialysis patients, Denise emphasized the importance of complying with required medications and being watchful of fluid intake. He plans to become an advocate for kidney disease and make more people be aware of the disease.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Ethel Ekole<\/span><\/div>
\u2018I am absolutely excited and privileged to be chosen by the Iya Foundation grant committee as a recipient for financial assistance to relieve some of my financial burden as I battle kidney disease\u2019, says Ethel Ekole.<\/p>\n
In 2011, Ethel was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease which later damaged her kidneys and eventually led to kidney failure, causing her to depend on dialysis to stay alive. Currently undergoing the home dialysis therapy \u2013 peritoneal dialysis, Ethel has to connect herself to a dialysis machine every night for ten hours just to be able to survive each day.<\/p>\n
As a result of her health, Ethel feels tired all the time, and suffers from poor appetite. She has to undergo weekly doctors and lab appointments. Being a mother and student, Ethel faces a lot of financial hardship, especially as she is unable to work due to her ill health.<\/p>\n
Ethel applied to the Iya Foundation financial assistance to help resolve some of her urgent financial needs; pay off some pending bills, buy her medication with ease, and be able to eat healthier foods.<\/p>\n
Ethel would like the world to know that kidney disease is a life-threatening disease and early detection is the key to a long life. Her advice to other dialysis patients is to apply for kidney transplant early enough before reaching end-stage in order to reduce the wait time on the transplant list, which is about five years. She advises other patients to not allow their illness to be their limitations, stating that they can still pursue their dreams in life and make the best out of their situation. They should live a happy life by doing what they love most as every day unfolds.<\/p>\n
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2014 Recipients<\/h5><\/div><\/div>- Anna Biaka<\/span><\/div>
A teacher by profession, Anna Biaka is a stage 5 End-Stage Renal Disease patient and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation Financial Assistance Award. During a visit to the United States, Anna was diagnosed with Kidney Failure.<\/p>\n
She had been suffering from High Blood Pressure, which even though managed, her kidneys still failed as a result of the HBP damaging them. This was very hard on her and she was in denial, unable to believe the fact that she would have to depend on dialysis or a transplant to stay alive. Even harder was the fact that she would have to remain in the United States to start treatment, leaving behind her job and family in Buea Cameroon, where she worked as a teacher.<\/p>\n
This was a huge and drastic move for Anna, who would now be living in a strange land, sick and unable to work. The financial burden were overwhelming for her. Although Anna has some health coverage, she was unable to meet other expenses due to her lack of a steady income.<\/p>\n
Reaching out to the Iya Foundation, she was awarded financial assistance to help elevate the financial burden that came as a result of her kidney failure. Anna is very thankful to the Iya Foundation for having selected her as one of the recipients.<\/p>\n
\u2018I was very happy, elated, and appreciative of all the efforts put by TIF in making this happen. I wish to thank you all for this award and hope to be connected to your foundation by joining the advocacy to help raise awareness about kidney disease. I count myself blessed to have been chosen for this award. I hope to work with you for the support of kidney disease patients\u2019; says Anna who plans to use the award to help with purchasing her medications with ease, paying her bus fare to and from the dialysis center, and in affording the types of foods she needs to be eating in coping with dialysis.<\/p>\n
Anna congratulates the Iya Foundation for the giant step it is taking to increase awareness of kidney disease, reaching out to patients, giving them hope, improving lives, and letting them know that is not the end of their lives but a beginning of a new life style.<\/p>\n
Anna plans to visit her home country of Cameroon in the near future and to reach out to other kidney patients battling kidney disease by giving them hope to live a healthy life, as well as educate them on being compliant with treatment.<\/p>\n
Anna\u2019s advice to other dialysis patients is that \u2018diagnosis of kidney disease is not the end of one\u2019s life but the beginning of a new life style \u2013 manageable with proper treatment, awareness, and education on the disease to empower and be better able to combat the disease. She further advises them to be compliant with treatment, eat moderately and healthily, and to drink less fluids to avoid retention and over load which could lead to heart problems.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation is glad this assistance will be of significant help to Anna\u2019s her day to day struggle in living with ESRD.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Denis Mbianda<\/span><\/div>
Denis is a 42 year old Cameroonian-American husband; father of three, and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation financial assistance award. A policy writer by profession, Denis has been unable to work due to End Stage Renal Disease.<\/p>\n
Denis lost his kidneys as a result of Diabetes and later on High Blood Pressure. Initially diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, Denis managed the disease with medications and dieting until 14 years later in 2011, when he developed edema in his feet and ankles. A visit to the doctor confirmed that he was suffering from kidney failure. Denis had to resort to dialysis treatment in order to stay alive.<\/p>\n
\u2018I go to dialysis 3 times a week; I get too weak that I am unable to work. I have uncontrolled nausea and vomiting\u2019, says Denis who is currently undergoing in-clinic hemo dialysis therapy and currently on the transplant list.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation was able to award Denis a financial assistance award to help him resolve some of his financial burden, especially having to depend solely on his wife\u2019s income. \u2018I have financial difficulties in meeting up with my daily dose of nepro (protein); but thanks to TIF, I will be able to afford my full supply now\u2019, says Denis who was very appreciative of his award, stating he was \u2018very happy because it was the very first time getting an assistance from any kidney association\u2019.<\/p>\n
As an advise to other dialysis patients, Denise emphasized the importance of complying with required medications and being watchful of fluid intake. He plans to become an advocate for kidney disease and make more people be aware of the disease.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Ethel Ekole<\/span><\/div>
\u2018I am absolutely excited and privileged to be chosen by the Iya Foundation grant committee as a recipient for financial assistance to relieve some of my financial burden as I battle kidney disease\u2019, says Ethel Ekole.<\/p>\n
In 2011, Ethel was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease which later damaged her kidneys and eventually led to kidney failure, causing her to depend on dialysis to stay alive. Currently undergoing the home dialysis therapy \u2013 peritoneal dialysis, Ethel has to connect herself to a dialysis machine every night for ten hours just to be able to survive each day.<\/p>\n
As a result of her health, Ethel feels tired all the time, and suffers from poor appetite. She has to undergo weekly doctors and lab appointments. Being a mother and student, Ethel faces a lot of financial hardship, especially as she is unable to work due to her ill health.<\/p>\n
Ethel applied to the Iya Foundation financial assistance to help resolve some of her urgent financial needs; pay off some pending bills, buy her medication with ease, and be able to eat healthier foods.<\/p>\n
Ethel would like the world to know that kidney disease is a life-threatening disease and early detection is the key to a long life. Her advice to other dialysis patients is to apply for kidney transplant early enough before reaching end-stage in order to reduce the wait time on the transplant list, which is about five years. She advises other patients to not allow their illness to be their limitations, stating that they can still pursue their dreams in life and make the best out of their situation. They should live a happy life by doing what they love most as every day unfolds.<\/p>\n
- Anna Biaka<\/span><\/div>A teacher by profession, Anna Biaka is a stage 5 End-Stage Renal Disease patient and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation Financial Assistance Award. During a visit to the United States, Anna was diagnosed with Kidney Failure.<\/p>\n
She had been suffering from High Blood Pressure, which even though managed, her kidneys still failed as a result of the HBP damaging them. This was very hard on her and she was in denial, unable to believe the fact that she would have to depend on dialysis or a transplant to stay alive. Even harder was the fact that she would have to remain in the United States to start treatment, leaving behind her job and family in Buea Cameroon, where she worked as a teacher.<\/p>\n
This was a huge and drastic move for Anna, who would now be living in a strange land, sick and unable to work. The financial burden were overwhelming for her. Although Anna has some health coverage, she was unable to meet other expenses due to her lack of a steady income.<\/p>\n
Reaching out to the Iya Foundation, she was awarded financial assistance to help elevate the financial burden that came as a result of her kidney failure. Anna is very thankful to the Iya Foundation for having selected her as one of the recipients.<\/p>\n
\u2018I was very happy, elated, and appreciative of all the efforts put by TIF in making this happen. I wish to thank you all for this award and hope to be connected to your foundation by joining the advocacy to help raise awareness about kidney disease. I count myself blessed to have been chosen for this award. I hope to work with you for the support of kidney disease patients\u2019; says Anna who plans to use the award to help with purchasing her medications with ease, paying her bus fare to and from the dialysis center, and in affording the types of foods she needs to be eating in coping with dialysis.<\/p>\n
Anna congratulates the Iya Foundation for the giant step it is taking to increase awareness of kidney disease, reaching out to patients, giving them hope, improving lives, and letting them know that is not the end of their lives but a beginning of a new life style.<\/p>\n
Anna plans to visit her home country of Cameroon in the near future and to reach out to other kidney patients battling kidney disease by giving them hope to live a healthy life, as well as educate them on being compliant with treatment.<\/p>\n
Anna\u2019s advice to other dialysis patients is that \u2018diagnosis of kidney disease is not the end of one\u2019s life but the beginning of a new life style \u2013 manageable with proper treatment, awareness, and education on the disease to empower and be better able to combat the disease. She further advises them to be compliant with treatment, eat moderately and healthily, and to drink less fluids to avoid retention and over load which could lead to heart problems.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation is glad this assistance will be of significant help to Anna\u2019s her day to day struggle in living with ESRD.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Denis Mbianda<\/span><\/div>Denis is a 42 year old Cameroonian-American husband; father of three, and recipient of the 2014 Iya Foundation financial assistance award. A policy writer by profession, Denis has been unable to work due to End Stage Renal Disease.<\/p>\nDenis lost his kidneys as a result of Diabetes and later on High Blood Pressure. Initially diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, Denis managed the disease with medications and dieting until 14 years later in 2011, when he developed edema in his feet and ankles. A visit to the doctor confirmed that he was suffering from kidney failure. Denis had to resort to dialysis treatment in order to stay alive.<\/p>\n
\u2018I go to dialysis 3 times a week; I get too weak that I am unable to work. I have uncontrolled nausea and vomiting\u2019, says Denis who is currently undergoing in-clinic hemo dialysis therapy and currently on the transplant list.<\/p>\n
The Iya Foundation was able to award Denis a financial assistance award to help him resolve some of his financial burden, especially having to depend solely on his wife\u2019s income. \u2018I have financial difficulties in meeting up with my daily dose of nepro (protein); but thanks to TIF, I will be able to afford my full supply now\u2019, says Denis who was very appreciative of his award, stating he was \u2018very happy because it was the very first time getting an assistance from any kidney association\u2019.<\/p>\n
As an advise to other dialysis patients, Denise emphasized the importance of complying with required medications and being watchful of fluid intake. He plans to become an advocate for kidney disease and make more people be aware of the disease.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Ethel Ekole<\/span><\/div>\u2018I am absolutely excited and privileged to be chosen by the Iya Foundation grant committee as a recipient for financial assistance to relieve some of my financial burden as I battle kidney disease\u2019, says Ethel Ekole.<\/p>\n
In 2011, Ethel was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease which later damaged her kidneys and eventually led to kidney failure, causing her to depend on dialysis to stay alive. Currently undergoing the home dialysis therapy \u2013 peritoneal dialysis, Ethel has to connect herself to a dialysis machine every night for ten hours just to be able to survive each day.<\/p>\n
As a result of her health, Ethel feels tired all the time, and suffers from poor appetite. She has to undergo weekly doctors and lab appointments. Being a mother and student, Ethel faces a lot of financial hardship, especially as she is unable to work due to her ill health.<\/p>\n
Ethel applied to the Iya Foundation financial assistance to help resolve some of her urgent financial needs; pay off some pending bills, buy her medication with ease, and be able to eat healthier foods.<\/p>\n
Ethel would like the world to know that kidney disease is a life-threatening disease and early detection is the key to a long life. Her advice to other dialysis patients is to apply for kidney transplant early enough before reaching end-stage in order to reduce the wait time on the transplant list, which is about five years. She advises other patients to not allow their illness to be their limitations, stating that they can still pursue their dreams in life and make the best out of their situation. They should live a happy life by doing what they love most as every day unfolds.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MamiHelen-300x300.jpg\")
Mama Helen has been hospitalized since January 2014 due to high blood pressure that led her to suffering a stroke. She also suffers from Diabetes which was well-managed for 25 years, but eventually brought damage to her kidneys, causing them to fail.<\/p>\n