World Kidney Day 2023!

It’s World Kidney Day 2023! World Kidney Day is a global campaign and joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations – World Kidney Alliance (IFKF-WKA). World Kidney Day aims to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. This year’s theme is Kidney Health for All, Preparing for the Unexpected, Supporting the Vulnerable!

In the event of major emergencies, such as natural disasters or other events that can greatly disrupt our health system, people with kidney disease are among the most vulnerable in the population due to their ongoing requirements for consistently coordinated care – care, which is often lifelong and involves complex ongoing treatment.

This World Kidney Day as well as during Emergency Preparedness Month each May and all year long, BC Renal encourages kidney patients, their families and care partners, as well as kidney health professionals to explore the Emergency Preparedness sections of the BC Renal website. There, you will find many resources to help dialysis patients in particular, and everyone, prepare for natural disasters and other major emergencies:

BC Renal resources:

For patients: Emergency Preparedness
For health professionals: Emergency Preparedness

Health professional insight and action

“In 2021, after the province experienced a series of devasting events, including a heat dome, wildfires, and flooding, the BC Renal Emergency Management Committee re-committed to taking action and fostering a preparedness culture. We have come together with the regional health authorities to support programs and ensure we can continue to provide care for people living with kidney disease in the event of an emergency.

Among other updates in recent years, in 2023, we updated our BC Renal Emergency Management Plan, which outlines disaster planning and response processes. This document is available on our Emergency Preparedness web page for health professionals.”

- Sarah Thomas, Chair, BC Renal Emergency Management Committee

Emergency Preparedness video for patients

Watch BC Renal 1-minute video for dialysis patients with helpful resources and tips for everyone, available in English, Chinese an Punjabi.

This video explains ways in which patients requiring dialysis can prepare for a possible disruption of services due to power outages and other major emergencies.

For more about Kidney Health for All, Preparing for the Unexpected, Supporting the Vulnerable from a global perspective, see WorldKidneyDay.org.

Every March, we run special campaigns to raise awareness about kidney health, kidney disease prevention, and early diagnosis of kidney disease. We’re excited to be partnering once again with the Kidney Foundation of Canada – BC & Yukon Branch for our “Could you be the 1 in 10?” campaign, and we’re pleased to promote additional campaigns of the Kidney Foundation, the Can-SOLVE CKD Network, the PKD Foundation of Canada and more!

Kidney Health Month story

Read our Kidney Health month story, featuring BC Renal director of strategic initiatives, education and development Gloria Freeborn and patient partners Sheryl Straza and Rozelle Callagnan. Also, visit KidneyHealthCheck.ca to take our short, online quiz to see if you should see a GP or family doctor.

#KidneyHealthChallenge on social media

We’re running our popular #KidneyHealthChallenge campaign via BC Renal’s Facebook and Twitter and PHSA’s Instagram to share 31 food, fluid and lifestyle tips for the general population. (Fluid and food tips aren't intended for kidney patients.) Each daily post links followers with the #KidneyHealthChallenge booklet that explains a bit more about each tip and connections to kidney health. Take the challenge!

Read about all of our Kidney Health Month campaigns here.

Partner Initiatives

Kidney Foundation of Canada â€“ BC & Yukon Branch

Warm the Souls and New Wellness Walking Challenge: The BC and Yukon Branch is back with its Warm the Souls initiative again this March with a team of volunteers providing socks to patients at the province’s Kidney Care Clinics. The Branch is also stepping it up with a new Wellness Walking Challenge hosted through its Kidney Wellness Hub. With the links between walking and wellness in mind, sign up for the challenge to track steps, share photos or videos of a favorite walk, and enter online to win prizes!

PKD Foundation of Canada

31 Days of PKD Challenges: In honour of Kidney Health Month, the PKD Foundation of Canada is sharing daily challenges to take for those living with polycystic kidney disease and their supporters. Learn more and check out the interactive 31-day calendar at endpkd.ca/31days!

 

Can-SOLVE CKD Network

My Kidneys My Health website: Living well with kidney disease means managing dietary needs, mental health, medications and more – all of which can vary greatly for each person. To support patients in living their best lives, researchers have developed this new online self-management tool. One of the special features is that it allows patients to create their own, individualized self-management notes – for example, questions to bring up with their health care professionals. Many other features are included! Visit My Kidneys My Health to learn more and use the tool!

Get Involved in Our Campaigns!
  • Do you have Kidney Health Month or World Kidney Day photos or initiatives from around BC to share? Email bcrenal@bcrenal.ca or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.
     
  • Forward this newsletter to anyone you think could benefit. Include an introductory note such as, “In case you haven’t already received this, I wanted to share BC Renal’s World Kidney Day newsletter that helps raise awareness about preparing for the unexpected, kidney disease risk factors and kidney health.”
     
  • Share our online Kidney Health Check quiz with family and friends by referring them to KidneyHealthCheck.ca! It takes under two minutes and could help save a life!
     
  • Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more information throughout Kidney Health Month. Amplify our posts by Liking, Sharing and Commenting. Use hashtags #BCRenalNetwork #KidneyHealthMonth #WorldKidneyDay
     
  • Download the World Kidney Day virtual background here for Zoom or other video calls.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy World Kidney Day!