Durban - World Kidney Day takes place on March 12 and is a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys.
All across the globe, hundreds of healthy lifestyle events are due to take place to highlight this and why we need to live healthy lives to take care of them.
Already, 850 million people worldwide are believed to suffer from various kidney diseases. Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) cause at least 2.4 million deaths per year and are now the sixth fastest growing cause of death globally.
Acute kidney injury (AKI), an important driver of CKD, affects over 13 million people worldwide and 85% of these cases are found in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 1.7 million people are estimated to die annually because of AKI.
Moreover, CKD and AKI are important contributors to increased morbidity and mortality from other diseases and risk factors including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity as well as infections such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Furthermore, CKD and AKI in children not only lead to substantial morbidity and mortality during childhood but also result in medical issues as our children grow into adulthood.
This being the second year of the event, uShaka Marine World’s contribution to raising awareness will be hosting the “Walk for your Kidneys Walk” on Saturday, March 14, in partnership with health event organizers, Mabliza Lifestyle, the SA Kidney Association and the Renal Care Team Dialysis Centre from Durdoc Centre.
The fun run walk is only 3km and will start in Arena 5 at 8am and end in Arena 1 at uShaka Marine World.
Entrance to participate is free. While at uShaka, you can get complimentary tests for Blood pressure and Glucose, Kidney function screening, as well as receive information on nutrition, organ donation and a blood drive. The event will finish around 11am.
So, don’t forget to wear your white or red tops and join the movement to support World Kidney Day and take care of your heath.