World Kidney Day

World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. World Kidney day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). Get involved! Celebrated on the second Thursday in March, World Kidney Day pursues the following objectives: - Raise awareness about our "amazing kidneys" - Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). - Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD. - Encourage preventive behaviours. - Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations. - Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Health authorities worldwide will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening. - Encourage transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative. If detected early, Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated--thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reduce the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.