Here we go again!  In the South, everyone knows that June is the official start of Hurricane Season. As someone who has grown up in Florida, hurricanes are just part of every summer; something you get prepared for and hope doesn't happen. Unfortunately, just like earthquakes, tornados or other forces of nature, the unexpected does happen. Thus, my garage is filled with my storm supplies; there's extra medicine on hand and I carry my health information in my wallet for easy access.

The key to preparing for any emergency, large or small, is planning. Something as simple as an electrical outage for a few hours can be an emergency for someone in the middle of a home hemodialysis session. Not having your cell phone charged and ready to go when you might get that transplant call can leave a lasting impact. No gas in the car when a hurricane is approaching can lead to going nowhere fast. Not having food in the house when you’re snowed in for a few days can be dangerous.

The best thing any patient can do is to prepare for all types of emergencies -- big or small. Be sure you have a plan. What would you do if you had 24 hours to prepare for an emergency? Where would you go? Do you know your evacuation route and shelter location? What would be your priorities? What food, water and medicine do you have on hand if you were to stay home? Who has your contact information? Do you carry your healthcare information? Do you have a back-up dialysis unit to go to if yours is inoperable? Do you have a plan for your family members and pets? Don't forget Fido – many shelters don't take pets.

Hopefully none of us will have to endure the devastation that people all over the world have experienced this past year. Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and other acts of Mother Nature have certainly caused physical and emotional damage to many families. Your preparedness can certainly help you to get through a crisis. Please plan today!

Kris Robinson
Executive Director/CEO