Kidney Health Week 2012
Will be held from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 2 June 2012
Kidney Health Week 2011
Was held 22 May to 28 May 2011- It's Time For Some Decent Exposure!
Kidney Health Australia launched its annual Kidney Health Week 2011 campaign under the banner of "Red Undies Week"*.
Red Undies Week is designed to be playful and a little bit cheeky and give some decent exposure to chronic kidney disease, a disease which has flown under the radar for too long. To take part in Red Undies Week visit our great new website www.redundiesweek.org.au and support Kidney Health Australia. Our great new TV commercial is below for all to see! To order promotion posters, please visit our resource centre.
To participate in Kidney Health Week activities in your state, please check out the state links below or download our events summary here.
What do your kidneys do - how do they work? The major role of the kidneys is to remove waste from the blood and remove it in urine. To remove this waste and extra water, blood enters the kidney through the renal artery; blood is then cleaned in the kidney as it passes through tiny filters called nephrons. Cleaned blood returns to the body by the renal vein. Waste and extra water removed by the kidney passes through a tube called the ureter to the bladder where it is stored as urine or wee. When the bladder is full, the urine passes out of the body through another tube called the urethra.
What is the role of your kidneys in keeping you healthy?
- Act as filters for your body
- Control blood pressure
- Make red blood cells, and
- Maintain strong and healthy bones
What are the stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
There are different stages of chronic kidney disease; Early, middle, later and end-stage. To learn more download our Chronic Kidney Disease Fact Sheet. Go to Kidney and Urinary Fast Facts for statistics on CKD in Australia.
Are you at risk of kidney disease?
Take our test to find out at www.checkmykidneys.com.au
One in every three Australians is at increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease. Adult Australians are at increased risk if they:
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Are obese
- Have a family history of CKD
- Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Are over 50 years of age, or
- Are smokers
If you fall into any of the above seven categories, we recommend you see a doctor and have a kidney function test. There are no warning signs for CKD and individuals can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before they feel any symptoms and by then it's too late. Early intervention can reduce CKD progression and cardiovascular risk by 50%, and improves quality of life. Talk to your doctor about your health and your kidneys if you have concerns.
For more information on Kidney Health Week, phone 1800 454 363.
 To help support the fantastic work that Kidney Health Australia does in our community, click Donate Now, to make a tax deductible donation.
Check out the Kidney Health Week activities in your state - For Northern Territory click here.
Medical Health Resources for your Kidney Health Week promotion
Order posters can be posted to you or downloaded via links below.
Our website also offers a huge range of kidney health information to print, to support any event. We encourage health professionals to print copies of our Fact sheets and publications - or send a Resource Order Form by fax to 'KHA Health Programs Manager' - 08 8334 7540 or email info@kidney.org.au
Our Health and Medical team suggest the following resources:
* Red Undies Week is a concept developed by Girl PR
UPDATED 31 OCTOBER 2011
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