The numbers are sobering: More than 170,000 Western New Yorkers suffer from chronic kidney disease.

Of that group, more than 1,600 are on dialysis and more than 500 are on a kidney transplant wait list.

On Saturday, the National Kidney Foundation Serving Western New York offered free kidney screenings in the McCoy Convention Center, 653 Clinton St.

And today, the foundation presents “Live Kidney-Friendly” from 1 to 4 p. m. in D’Youville College’s Koessler Administration Building, 320 Porter Ave.

The program is designed not only for people with chronic kidney disease and transplant recipients but also for people at risk of the disease — those with diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of these diseases, or a family history of kidney disease should get tested,” said Anne McCooey, the National Kidney Foundation’s regional vice president. “They are at increased risk for kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and high blood pressure is the second leading cause. However, high blood pressure is the No. 1 cause of kidney disease in African Americans.

“Like any other disease, if it’s caught early, you can slow or stop the progression of the disease with diet, exercise, good nutrition, and management of diabetes and high blood pressure.”

She said one of the tests offered during these screenings is for protein in the urine, which is an early indication of kidney disease.

The high rate of chronic kidney disease locally is linked to the area’s incidence of high blood pressure and diabetes.

“Diet is the key,” McCooey said. “Proper nutrition may slow or stop the progression of kidney disease. It’s also important for patients to partner with their doctor, and to be their best health care advocate.”

“Maintaining a positive attitude and having fun have a major impact on quality of life for anyone with a chronic illness,” she added.

Today’s screening at D’Youville also features “Kidney- Friendly Cooking” — a live cooking demonstration with Chef Neal Plazio of the Chef’s Table, and students from D’Youville College’s School of Dietetics. Attendees also will be able to sample such kidney-friendly fare as chicken nuggets with honey-mustard dipping sauce, pasta primavera and crunchy raw veggies and dip. Participants will each get a cookbook with the program’s $5 admission fee, which also includes refreshments.

There also will be a seminar on patient empowerment, featuring social workers Patti Merritt and Sara Montz.

Saturday’s kidney screening at the McCoy Convention Center was co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples, D-Buffalo, State Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, Buffalo Community Health Center, Catholic Health Systems, Erie County Medical Center, Sheehan Memorial Hospital and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.