Kidney Awareness Day

By Nurse Diane

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. The campaign is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March in more than 100 countries on 6 continents.

The purpose for this day is: 

• Raise awareness about our "amazing kidneys"Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
• Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD.
• Encourage preventive behaviors.
• Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
• Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Health authorities worldwide will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening.
• Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.   

If detected early, Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated--thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reduce the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.  The prevalence of CKD is increasing dramatically and the cost of treating it poses an enormous burden on healthcare systems worldwide. 8 to 10% of the adult population have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related to their kidney disease.

To reduce your risk of kidney disease, here are some tips to follow:

• Remain fit and active.
• Keep control of your blood sugar level
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
• Maintain a healthy fluid intake
• Don't smoke
• Don't take over the counter pills regularly

If you:

• have diabetes
• have hypertension
• are obese
• one of your parents or other family members suffers from kidney disease
• are of African, Asian, or Aboriginal origin have one of the following high risk factors, get your kidneys checked by your doctor today on World Kidney Day!

 (All images from Google) 

Cord Blood Awareness Month - 2011

 Cord Blood Awareness Month is sponsored by a society of the American Hospital Association and strives to empower expectant parents to make an informed choice regarding their options to save their newborn's cord blood stem cells.

Each year more than 35,000 Americans with life threatening illnesses find themselves in need of a stem cell transplant. Cord blood stem cells have been playing an increasing role in filling that need and have been offering potential treatment options for many conditions that have no cure today. Cord blood has been used in more than 14,000 transplants worldwide during the last 20 years to treat many life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and other cancers. Today, cord blood is showing great promise for use in regenerative medicine applications, including treatment for juvenile diabetes, brain injury, cerebral palsy, and hearing loss.

It is important for expectant parents to be aware of the potential value of cord blood stem cells and their options for saving it. Cord blood can only be collected immediately following birth, so parents should understand their choices and make a decision before their due date.

Family Banking: Parents have guaranteed access to a child's genetically-unique stem cells for future use within the family, including the child, siblings, parents or extended family members.

Free Program for Acute Family Need: CBR's Designated Treatment Program® provides free processing and storage to qualifying families with a member suffering from a disease treatable with cord blood stem cells. 

Public Donation: If eligible, expectant parents can donate cord blood stem cells for public use or research. 

Medical Waste: The cord blood stem cells are discarded after delivery at the hospital.