On March 12, the official World Kidney Day, buildings around the city will recognize the day by “painting” their buildings in orange, including the Omni Hotel Downtown.
March 12: Open to the Public: There will be a free kidney health check from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Dallas County Health and Human Services, 2377 N. Stemmons Frwy, Suite 627, Dallas, TX .
In recognition of World Kidney Day (March 12), Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, along with Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zach Thompson presented a Proclamation to the National Kidney Foundation for its efforts to raise awareness about early detection and prevention of kidney disease.
“Kidney disease often develops slowly with few symptoms, and many people don’t realize they have it until the disease is advanced,” said Zach Thompson, Director of the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department. “Awareness of kidney disease, especially for those at risk, is the first step to preventing, or slowing the progression of kidney disease,” said Mr. Thompson.
Pictured (from L to R) Darrell Webb, Carmen Webb, Cora McClendon (part of National Kidney Foundation patient services committee), Commissioner John Wiley Price, Rachelle Caruthers; Mark Edwards, Regional Program Manager, National Kidney Foundation, Serving North Texas; Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zach Thompson.
Courtesy photo from the National Kidney Foundation - Serving North Texas. Visit the website at nkft.org
March 12: Today is World Kidney Day and the National Kidney Foundation is asking Americans to drink a glass of water to celebrate their kidneys.
Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear wastes and toxins from the body. Studies have also shown that increasing your fluid intake is one of the best ways to prevent the formation of painful kidney stones.
The right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including gender, exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breast feeding. In addition, those with advanced kidney disease or kidney failure often have to restrict their fluid intake. As a general rule, drinking 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 pints) of water per day is considered a healthy amount.
“Drinking a glass of water is a symbolic gesture to remember that kidneys are vital organs that should be celebrated,” said Joseph Vassalotti, MD, National Kidney Foundation Chief Medical Officer. “It’s also a way to raise awareness about the risks, dangers and burden of kidney disease in the United States, which is estimated to affect more than 26 million American adults.”
Join others around the world and celebrate kidney awareness on World Kidney Day by taking a healthy selfie. Be a #WaterModel on #WorldKidneyDay and take a photo of yourself drinking water and share it with your friends. Those photos tagged with #ISupportWKD will appear in the international World Kidney Day photo newsfeed.
Staying well hydrated with water can protect your kidneys, but it won’t cure kidney disease. For those at risk of kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation is offering free kidney health screenings across the country. NKF strongly encourages anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure and anyone over the age of 60, to attend. Find a KEEP Healthy screening by visiting kidney.org, or ask your doctor for an ACR or GFR test if you are at risk for kidney disease.
Those who want to learn how they can reduce their personal risk of developing kidney disease can visit www.kidney.org for more information.
Top 10 Things Your Kidneys Do:
- Filter 200 liters of blood a day, removing two liters of toxins, wastes and water
- Regulate the body’s hydration and water balance
- Regulate blood pressure by controlling fluid levels and making the hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict
- Support healthy bones and tissues by producing the active form of Vitamin D
- Produce the hormone that stimulates bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells
- Keep blood minerals in balance
- Keep electrolytes in balance
- Regulate blood acid levels
- Remove certain drugs from the blood
- Eliminate excess water-soluble vitamins
The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.