2021 What National Kidney Month Means to Me

 • What does Kidney Month mean to you?

National Kidney Month is a Month of Celebration for the raising of Awareness for the estimated 37M of us that suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease.  It is our time to let the World know about Kidney Disease and the things you as an individual can do to protect yourself and your family from CKD. The National Kidney Foundation makes the following suggestions:

1.  Get Tested for Kidney Disease;
2.  Reduce the Use of NSAID(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), over the counter pain medications other than Tylenol;

3.  Avoid Processed Foods;
4.  Exercise Regularly;
5.  Control Diabetes and Blood Pressure
https://www.kidney.org/news/national-kidney-month-take-five-your-kidneys.

• Why is raising kidney awareness crucial all year long?

Kidney Disease does not let up and there is no cure. I have lost 5 members of my family to Kidney Disease including my Dad and numerous friends. We must raise awareness all year long to prevent the continued spread of Kidney Disease.  Experts tell us that 80M more are at risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, cardiovascular disease (HBP) or family history like mine. 90% of patients with kidney have it and don't know it. 750,000 Americans have kidney failure and rely on dialysis or a Kidney Transplant to survive (Renal Replacement Therapy) The Medicare program spends $130B, $1 in $4 on treating kidney patients. If we do not address kidney disease upstream and slow or stop the progression of kidney failure, we could have one million patients in kidney failure by 2030.

• How can kidney advocates get involved and learn more about chronic rights?
Join and follow the Chronic Diseases Coalition! Talk to Kidney Advocates like myself,  Curtis Warfield,  Mary Baliker and Patrick O. Gee.  We are here to help you!