Celebrate Family On World Kidney Day (NAPSA)—It doesn’t quite yet have the heart-tugging appeal of Mother’s or Father’s Day, but on World Kidney Day, you may just find yourself closer to your family than ever. The first-ever World Kidney Day (March 9, 2006) was designed to raise international awareness about one of the body’s most vital organs, to let people know who’s at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and what to do to avoid the condition. While no one expects World Kidney Day to be celebrated with parades and picnics, the National Kidney Foundation suggests using it as a timeto celebrate family and share health history. Many, if not most, people who are considered “at-risk” for chronic kidney disease have been placed in that group because of health problems inherited from family members. That’s why doctors say that finding out your health history is the first step in preventing chronic kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation is hoping people will embrace March 9 as a day devoted to talking to, or learning more about, one’s parents, grandparents, brothers andsisters, or any bloodrelative. People may find out fascinating things about the people close to them, and in the process, they may also find out that someone in the family suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes or even chronic kidney disease. If you or a family member has diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension), you are at signifi- 4 World Kidney Day encourages families to discuss their health histories. cant risk for CKD. Also, people who belong to minority groups including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at higher risk for CKD. The National Kidney Foundation is joining forces with Kidney Foundations around the globe to highlight World Kidney Day andits themeof early detection and prevention. The foundation says chronic kidney disease is a potentially fatal condition, often called a “silent” killer. The foundation hopes family discussion on World Kidney Day will encourage people to delve into the health of their entire family, and then to get their kidneys checked out through simple blood and urine tests. For more information and a free brochure, “Are You At Increased Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease?,” visit www.kidney.org or call (800) 622-9010.
