Next week World Kidney Day (Thursday 11th March) will take place to raise awareness of the importance of the kidneys to our overall health.
A joint initiative by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, World Kidney Day is set to increase knowledge about the health of our kidneys to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
Kidney cancer accounts for around 3,700 deaths annually and UK diagnosis rates have increased by 22% in the last ten years.
The awareness day will be supported by patient groups such as the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer.
Nick Turkentine, CEO of the Fund, said: “World Kidney Day is a great day to highlight how important a role our kidney’s play and why kidney health is so essential. Smoking and lifestyle choices all contribute to the health of our kidneys and it’s a great initiative by the SN and the IFKF to raise awareness.
“The James Whale Fund concentrates mainly on kidney cancer but we’re completely in support of all the work these two foundations do as kidney health overall is key.”
The Fund is the UK’s leading kidney cancer charity and was set up in 2006 by the broadcaster James Whale who lost a kidney to cancer in the year 2000.