HOUSTON – April 16, 2020 – The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) is pleased to announce its partnership with Savor Health® to bring Ina®, The Intelligent Nutrition Assistant to the kidney cancer community. Ina® provides personalized, evidence-based nutrition support “on demand” to help people living with cancer stay well-nourished and manage symptoms throughout their cancer journey.
Developed by oncology-credentialed medical experts, Ina® is available 24/7 via SMS text. Patients and caregivers can text their questions on nutrition and symptom management from their cell phone and Ina® will respond with personalized nutrition tips, recipes, and answers – no phone calls or appointments necessary. All knowledge and advice is based on scientific evidence and the training of oncology-credentialed registered dietitians, nurses, and doctors who are experts in the needs of cancer patients. Ina® is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), safe, and secure.
Ina® brings a much-needed cancer-specific nutrition resource to the kidney cancer community. A 2015 study in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle showed that nearly a third (31.7%) of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients were classified as being at risk of malnutrition. Poor nutrition status and low body mass index (BMI) scores were predictors of decreased survival and poor quality of life among kidney cancer patients.
And while 90% of cancer patients have addressable nutrition issues at the time of diagnosis, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, expert diet and nutrition support may not be available. A national survey in the Journal of Oncology found that, on average, there is only one registered dietician nutritionist for every 2,308 cancer patients.
“The Kidney Cancer Association is delighted to share this innovative new resource with the kidney cancer community,” said Gretchen E. Vaughan, President and CEO of the KCA. “Nutrition is a major concern for people living with cancer and easy, quick, and relevant advice is crucial. Especially now, when other aspects of life may feel outside of their control, we hope that anyone impacted by kidney cancer can feel empowered by the knowledge Ina® provides.”
“KCA’s support of kidney cancer patients is an example of how advocacy efforts result in helping patients navigate and access key resources, such as virtual nutrition and symptom management guidance, throughout the cancer journey. We are thrilled about our partnership with KCA and look forward to providing their community with personalized, evidence-based nutrition and symptom management support 24/7 ‘on demand’ from anywhere and at any time,” said Susan Bratton, Savor Health® Founder and CEO.
This partnership supports the KCA’s mission to provide support and resources that empower people to make informed decisions about their health. For more information on how to use Ina®, please visit the KCA’s website at https://www.kidneycancer.org/ina-by-savor-health/.
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About the Kidney Cancer Association
The Kidney Cancer Association is a global community dedicated to serving and empowering patients and caregivers, and leading change through advocacy, research, and education in order to be the universal leader in finding the cure for kidney cancer. Founded in 1990 by Eugene P. Schonfeld and a small group of patients and doctors in Chicago, Illinois, the KCA has grown into an international non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas. The KCA promotes scientific advances through two annual research symposia and a robust grant program, participates in legislative advocacy, and seeks to be a source of education and resources for patients, caregivers, and anyone impacted by kidney cancer.
About Savor Health®
Savor Health® is a B2B digital health platform that combines artificial intelligence, data science, and over 41,000 expertly curated rules and evidence-based interventions to deliver, at scale, clinically and contextually appropriate personalized nutrition and symptom management support in order to improve adherence and outcomes, prevent costly ER visits and inpatient admissions, and empower patients with independence, control, and hope. Savor Health®’s digital nutrition platform is generating market leading engagement (over 60%), high satisfaction (83% of patients report her advice is helpful), and strong likeliness to recommend (4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5). Savor Health®’s mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers through clinically validated nutrition interventions that are integrated into their cancer treatment regimen as standard of care.