About the Foundation
Established in 2004, the foundation in the United States began to see immediate success with its first program, the Peg Smythe Fitness Grant, which focused on improving the quality of life for individuals living with a renal diagnosis through exercise. As the foundation evolved its focus expanded into four major areas, education, prevention, awareness, and access. Through the development of its new programs the organization believes it can achieve maximum impact in these four major areas by providing a combination of inspiration, and tools & resources that empower the American renal community. Through the use of innovative technology, and the development of strategic partnerships with other key organizations the Shad Ireland Foundation United States is expanding its potential reach and delivering on its mission.
www.RenalResources.org
was made possible by a generous
grant from the following organizations:
With initial funding from Fresenius Medical Care, the Shad Ireland Foundation partnered with One Economy Corporation, a global nonprofit that leverages the power of technology to improve the lives of low-income people, to develop and launch RenalResources.org, a innovative and comprehensive new web site for patients, professionals, and supporters of the global renal community.
The Shad Ireland Foundation has grown over the past five years into a global organization dedicated to creating strategic partnerships with key organizations that share our dedication to four main areas affecting the renal community: education, prevention, awareness, and access. RenalResources.org is a living portal which combines the latest in e-health technology with social networking tools and a renal search engine to create an online home that brings together renal stakeholders from around the world.
For patients and at-risk individuals, RenalResources.org provides information and educational tools on prevention, treatment, and management of renal conditions. Written in an easy-to-understand form, with tactful use of pictures, videos, and infographics, RenalResources.org makes often-intimidating and complex medical information about diabetes, dialysis, transplants, CKD, and other renal issues accessible to every user. Moreover, with access to One Economy’s health and wellness tools, RenalResources.org shows individuals how to incorporate easy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, into their daily routine. This web site allows users to become expert in renal issues in the comfort of their own living room; it is in this disease that we find ourselves sharing similar emotions and experiences. It is those similar emotions and experiences that bring us together. We are a community. We can learn from one another. It begins by asking questions and seeking answers.
Printable Versionwas made possible by a generous
grant from the following organizations:
Amgen’s Medical Education Department
The concept for creating Baseline came directly from Shad Ireland’s personal experiences as he transformed from a struggling dialysis patient who faced multiple co-morbidities into a healthy successful dialysis patient and ultimately a professional Ironman Triathlete. Shad was once your typical non-adherent dialysis patient who had given up on hope and any chance of having the life he dreamed of as a child. Diagnosed at age ten, Shad, like most patients after their diagnosis experienced anger, loss of self control, fear, frustration, and hopelessness. In developing this program Shad, his team of medical contacts, and his foundation fundamentally believe in developing an approach that is problem oriented (How do we improve outcomes, compliance, and quality of life for the entire renal continuum while reducing the leading cost of hospitalizations to the system) and solution focused. Baseline is a potential solution to the compliance, outcomes, and quality of life issues that have been adversely affecting the renal community for years. One of the key components to Baseline is exercise as the leading cause of mortality in the renal community is the progression of cardiovascular disease. To learn more about Baseline and how it is positively impacting the renal community in the United States
please watch the educational video and then click on the link below to begin your Baseline experience.
United States Baseline Program Launching May 1st, 2010
According to leading studies, a regular dose of heart-pumping exercise can:
- increase energy
- improve muscle physical functioning
- help control blood pressure
- improve muscle strength
- lower level of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- lead to better sleep
- control body weight
Here are a few suggestions:
- Yoga is a great way to add flexibility and increase mobility
- Walk 20-30 minutes
- Take a dance class
- Participate in a team sport activity
- Go biking
- Try hiking
- Swim a lap or two at the community pool
The Shad Ireland Foundation through its Sports Messaging program is proud to partner with NFL and NBA athletes who are dedicated to giving back in communities across the country. In the first year, we will be partnering to deliver critical information in Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami, Memphis, New York, and San Diego. The program will work to deliver key educational and informational content on the entire kidney disease spectrum through established community events with a focus on prevention. Physical fitness messaging as a means to deliver prevention is a critical component of the Sports Messaging program as it has made a significant impact on Shad Ireland’s life allowing him to transform from a dialysis patient struggling with his disease to the Ironman competitor he is today. We are a sports based society and the Shad Ireland Foundation and its partners in this program believe that athletes have the ability to inspire individuals and communities in a way that is uniquely impactful. Combine that with a strategic plan to deliver educational information that is problem oriented and solution focused calling individuals and communities to take directed action and you will have an approach that will deliver sustainable impact. The Shad Ireland Foundation is excited to partner and support other athletes who are committed to positive change and have proven the ability to mobilize large numbers within communities affected by the leading causes of renal failure. (Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes)
Reggie has always been active in raising money for communities and charities through various events including the annual Charity Golf Classic, which benefitted the Carolina Panthers Courage House, a safe haven for boys and families in crisis. During the offseason, he served a coaching internship at Waddell HS in Charlotte, NC, and interned in the wealth management department at Wachovia Bank. Reggie is a member of the United Negro College Fund. At Kirby HS in Memphis, TN, Reggie was a wide receiver and defensive back. During the off-season, Reggie participated in the Carolina Panthers Youth Camp and supported the United Way. Reggie played 7 seasons in the NFL which include 2 with the Miami Dolphins and 5 with the Carolina Panthers. Born Reginald Clement Howard in Memphis, TN, Reggie and his wife, Artesia have two daughters, Kristen and Allegra and a son, Reginald Howard II, and reside in Memphis, TN.
Collegiate Biography
A walk-on at Memphis State, Reggie totaled 91 tackles, an interception, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and five passes defended in 17 contest. As a senior (1999), Reggie started the first six contests and contributed 22 stops, an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and two passes defended before breaking his neck against Alabama-Birmingham and missing the remainder of the season. He had surgery to stabilize his fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. As a junior (1998) he posted 69 tackles, a sack and three passes defended after redshirting as a walk-on (1997). Reggie attended Henderson State College in 1995 and 1996.
Professional Biography
In his first season as a full-time starter, Reggie started a right cornerback for all 14 games he played, did not play in one game and was inactive for one contest. He ranked third on the team and second among defensive backs with 89 tackles and also recorded two interceptions, one sack, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and 10 passes defended.
Pro Career Stats:
- Responded in first season as full-time starter by establishing career-highs of 14 starts, 89 tackles and 10 passes defensed for Panthers defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in pass defense and second in third down efficiency.
- Accumalted a career-high 12 tackles versus Cincinnati
- Collected first NFL fumble recovery versus Detroit on the final playof the first half on turnover caused by defensive end Julius Peppers.
- Posted first NFL start in Carolina's season-opener versus Baltimore and tried for the team lead with eight tackles.
- Recorded his first NFL sack versus Atlanta when he brought down Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler.
- First NFL interception came at Buffalo on a pass thrown by Bills quarteerback Alex Van Pelt.
Music Initiatives
Spanning the nation with a focus on thirty major cities, the Shad Ireland Foundation: Music Initiative Documentary is the project chosen to follow the growth of a program dedicated to educating the public on the leading causes of Kidney Disease; Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes, through a medium that reaches the masses universally.
Music.
Music has the ability to educate, inspire, and unite. This why the Shad Ireland Foundation has developed a multimedia approach to deliver a critical message of education, prevention, access, and awareness. Through the strategic partnerships of musicians, athletes, and corporations alike, the foundation will create an unprecedented concert like experience coupled with the opportunity to inform.
How will one unique movement impact a nation devastated by a disease it faces daily, but has yet to fully understand? How will the cooperation of dozens of artists affect the communities they have chosen to serve? and...How will a year of positive outreach affect the artists themselves?
It is the goal of the Music Initiative project to document the course of the program built to save hundreds of thousands of predisposed individuals. It will expose how such an effort will affect the character of each musician as they realize the impact of their reach. And most importantly, this film will become a beacon for the renal community and testament to what basic education and few simple changes in our outlook can do... to save lives.
We invite you to become part of an historical series of events and a real commitment to giving back.
Underserved Communities & Communities of Color Program Description
Underserved communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by kidney disease and its leading causes. African Americans and Latinos are 4 times more likely to develop a renal diagnosis and 9 times less likely to catch the disease in its early stages. Asian Americans and Native Americans are also negatively impacted and at an increased risk due to the increased rate of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes; the leading causes of kidney disease.
Two thirds of the United States population is affected by at least one of the leading causes of kidney disease. 133 million Americans are considered overweight or obese. 54 million Americans are predisposed to developing type-two diabetes, and millions of Americans suffer from hypertension. These statistics lead us to our current situation. 27 million Americans have CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) with another 21 million Americans walking around unaware of the fact that they have this disease. Underserved communities and communities of color are being adversely impacted and disproportionately affected by a disease which when caught early enough can be successfully treated and the progression halted. The future of medicine will be focused on education, prevention, access, and awareness with an emphasis being placed on health care information and its delivery system within these specified communities. Through our underserved communities & communities of color program the Shad Ireland Foundation and its partners are positioned to deliver this information in a way that unites educates and inspires.
If you are living with kidney disease and are interested in learning how exercise can help create stabilization and rehabilitation in your life than we encourage you to consider applying for a Peg Smythe Fitness Grant.
To learn more or to apply for a grant click here
Patients we've helped
The Shad Ireland Music Initiative
Spanning the nation with a focus on thirty major cities, the Shad Ireland Foundation: Music Initiative Documentary is the project chosen to follow the growth of a program dedicated to educating the public on the leading causes of Kidney Disease; Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes, through a medium that reaches the masses universally.
Music.
Music has the ability to educate, inspire, and unite. This why the Shad Ireland Foundation has developed a multimedia approach to deliver a critical message of education, prevention, access, and awareness. Through the strategic partnerships of musicians, athletes, and corporations alike, the foundation will create an unprecedented concert like experience coupled with the opportunity to inform.
How will one unique movement impact a nation devastated by a disease it faces daily, but has yet to fully understand? How will the cooperation of dozens of artists affect the communities they have chosen to serve? and...How will a year of positive outreach affect the artists themselves?
It is the goal of the Music Initiative project to document the course of the program built to save hundreds of thousands of predisposed individuals. It will expose how such an effort will affect the character of each musician as they realize the impact of their reach. And most importantly, this film will become a beacon for the renal community and testament to what basic education and few simple changes in our outlook can do... to save lives.
We invite you to become part of an historical series of events and a real commitment to giving back.
The Comeback
Amgen’s Medical Education Department
Shad Ireland is the only kidney dialysis patient in the world to ever compete in and complete an Ironman triathlon. In 2003, weighing a mere 90lbs, and having to connect to a dialysis machine every other day in order to survive, Shad was told that it was impossible to attempt such an endeavor. A year later he made history by completing Ironman Lake Placid. Since then he has completed 20 triathlons and a 4639-mile ride across America. Shad has always dreamed of racing the world famous Ironman World Championship race in Kona Hawaii. Still receiving dialysis treatments every other day in order to survive and with dreams of Hawaii on his mind he has set his sights on coming back to Ironman- During a recent TV interview Shad said, “ The Comeback means so much more to me than the fulfillment of a personal dream. I am racing for my community. To show others who face challenges that an individual inspired can accomplish anything! I will lead by setting the example- If not me then who?”
Shad’s Official Race Season for The Comeback
Ironman Disney- May 16th, 2010
Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Minneapolis- July 10th, 2010
Ironman Canada- Aug 29th, 2010
Ironman Arizona- Nov 21st, 2010
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