World Kidney Day 2019
World Kidney Day 2019: Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere!
Today is World Kidney Day! This year, World Kidney Day sets out to raise awareness of the high and increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and the need for strategies for prevention and management.
"Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere" calls for universal health coverage (UHC) for prevention and early treatment of kidney disease.
The ultimate goal of the policy is to promote population health by ensuring universal, sustainable and equitable access to essential healthcare of high quality, protecting people from health impoverishment and improving equity in health across socioeconomic groups.
Specifically, WKD calls on everyone to advocate for concrete measures in every country to improve kidney care:
- Encourage and adopt healthy lifestyles (access to clean water, exercise, healthy diet, tobacco control.
- Make screening for kidney diseases a primary healthcare intervention including access to identification tools (e.g. urine and blood tests).
- Ensure kidney patients receive basic health services they need (e.g. blood pressure and cholesterol control, essential medications) to delay disease progression without suffering financial hardship.
- Call for transparent policies governing equitable and sustainable access to advanced health care services (e.g. dialysis and transplantation) and better financial protection (e.g. subsidies) as more resources become available.
Join our call for Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere!
To learn more about World Kidney Day, visit their website here.
Let's Go #Teal4PKD
Today is a great opportunity to remind your friends and family about World Kidney Day and National Kidney Month by using our #endPKD Facebook frame on your profile picture. Remember to snap a photo and share online using #Teal4PKD!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a variety of Kidney Month stories and photos. You can help spread awareness of PKD and the importance of keeping our kidneys healthy by sharing these posts through your social media channels as well.
3 Ways to Get Involved This World Kidney Month
Get accurate and clear information about polycystic kidney disease and read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about an ADPKD or ARPKD diagnosis.
One of the most powerful ways you can be a part of Kidney Month is by making a gift today.
Your donation will help further the PKD Foundation of Canada's mission to promote programs of research, education, advocacy, support and awareness for PKD.
Help make a difference in the lives of 66,000 Canadians and 12.5 million people affected by PKD. Donate today!
The PKD Foundation of Canada chapters and the volunteers who lead them are the backbone of the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) community, driving vital programs around the world.
Connect with your local chapter for opportunities to support the PKD Foundation of Canada on a local level.
Don’t see a chapter near you? Email us to learn about starting a chapter in your local community.
Voices of PKD: Hurricane Harrison
Diagnosed with ARPKD prenatally, Harrison was born on March 8, 2012. Coincidentally -World Kidney Day that year! His dad, a teacher and illustrator, has found artistic inspiration in his tough little boy, who the family calls "Hurricane Harrison".
Today, he has defied the odds stacked against him, but there is still a long road ahead. More treatment options will be needed for Harrison as his PKD progresses. Watch the video to learn more about this PKD warrior!
Happy belated birthday, Harrison! We hope this is your best year yet!