World Kidney Day – 13 March 2025

Posted by: melissafranklin - Posted on:

It’s the topic that’s too BIG to ignore. On Thursday 13 March 2025, join us in highlighting just how big an issue kidney disease is. It’s not a disease that affects only a handful of people: it’s the 10th biggest killer worldwide. Your neighbour could have it. Your parent. Your work colleague. Your child. This year, we need to you to shout it from the rooftops.

World Kidney Day is an annual campaign to help raise awareness of kidneys and show the suffering caused when they don’t work properly. It also aims to educate people on what kidneys do and how to improve your kidney health.

What do kidneys do?

  • They remove toxins, excess water and waste products
  • Kidneys play a vital role in regulating your blood pressure
  • They activate vitamin D to help keep your bones and muscles in good shape
  • They’re essential for a healthy body
  • Why you shouldn’t ignore your kidneys
  • Most of the time, kidneys work normally without any issues but sometimes they can be damaged or stop working so well. This is known as chronic kidney disease. CKD is a condition that affects 1 in 10 people in Great Britain.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as changes to your diet and lifestyle, are vital and can often help slow down or prevent any further damage. However, if kidney disease goes undetected or is not managed well, it can progress to kidney failure, which is fatal without treatment. Patients with kidney failure need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant. There is no cure.
  • Some other types of kidney disease, including inherited conditions, are not preventable but can be managed.
  • The BIG impact on your life
  • Having kidney disease affects more than your physical health. It also impacts your social life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Imagine visiting the hospital three times a week for a four-hour dialysis session – how would you fit this around work, or looking after children, or going on holiday?
  • Are you at risk?
  • Although anyone can develop kidney disease, here are some factors that can increase your risk:
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart and circulatory disease
  • Family history of kidney disease
  • A black, Asian or minority ethnic background could mean an increased risk of developing kidney failure more quickly
  • Signs and symptoms of kidney disease
  • Kidney disease in its early stages is very hard to detect. It’s possible to lose 90% of your kidney function before you see any symptoms.
  • These symptoms include:
  • reduced appetite
  • swollen ankles
  • lack of concentration
  • fatigue
  • foamy urine
  • blood in the urine