Northwest Kidney Centers on May 22 will conduct a free Asian-Pacific Islander Kidney Health Fair, featuring free blood-pressure checks, entertainment, and the chance to ask questions of a kidney expert.

This first-time event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Great Wall Shopping Mall, 18230 E. Valley Highway, in Kent.

In addition to the blood-pressure checks, health information will be provided in several languages. The fair will also feature exhibits and free photos with Sidney, the Northwest Kidney Centers mascot.

Kidney specialist Dr. Danh Ngo will deliver a half-hour keynote address at 1 p.m., followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session. Ngo, who practices at Minor & James Medical and Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, received his medical degree from Emory University in 2001. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in nephrology and internal medicine. He served on the Northwest Kidney Centers Medical Executive Committee in 2009, and he speaks English, Vietnamese and Spanish.

“The primary purpose of this event is to help the Asian Pacific Islander understand that in general they have a higher risk of kidney disease than the general population of the United States,” said David Wilde, chairman of Northwest Kidney Centers’ Regional Council Southeast, which is sponsoring the event. “Our intention is for anyone who attends to learn that they should consider getting tested early and understand the health risks.”

Participants in the Health Fair will learn how to improve their lives to avoid kidney disease. This includes:

· Treating high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the leading causes of kidney failure.

· Quitting smoking.

· Eating a low-salt, low-fat diet. Obesity can lead to kidney disease.

· Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

· Avoiding the overuse of pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which can damage kidneys.

For more information about the health fair or about kidney disease, go to www.nwkidney.org.

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