Sheffield Kidney Institute promotes 'Kidney Health for All' on World Kidney Day 2015
9 March 2015
AN INSIPRING film raising awareness of the life-limiting effects kidney disease can have on health is one of a series of initiatives Sheffield Kidney Institute is launching on World Kidney Day 2015 (Thursday 12 March), highlighting the importance of ‘Kidney Health for All’.
Last year, the Sheffield Kidney Institute, based at the Northern General Hospital, treated more than 6,000 patients from throughout Sheffield and north Derbyshire suffering from chronic kidney disease. It carries out around 70 kidney transplants a year with over 700 patients having a functioning transplant whilst around 550 patients undergo dialysis three times a week. Research into life-saving treatments is supported by Sheffield Hospitals Charity, the official NHS Charity for Sheffield.
Kidney disease affects around 10% to 15% of the local population, and is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it can often go undetected. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and a family history have a higher risk of developing the disease, which is known as the silent killer as it can go undetected. Chronic kidney disease is also particularly prevalent amongst African-Caribbean and Asian groups.
A short film and Facebook page featuring inspiring patients’ stories, including Fiona Charlesworth from Renishaw, who underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2013 and suffers from a hereditary kidney disease which has blighted her family, has been produced to show first-hand the impact the disease can have on people’s lives.
Dr Arif Khwaja, Consultant Nephrologist at the Sheffield Kidney Institute, explained: "Chronic kidney disease is common, affecting many people locally. However, it can go undetected as people often have no symptoms. The good news is that depending on the problem, early detection, changes in lifestyle and a healthy diet can often slow down the progression of the disease, delaying the possible need for dialysis or transplantation.
“Ongoing research into kidney disease is vital. It has already helped find better ways to treat people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and give them a quality of life they would not have been able to enjoy 20 years ago. For families with hereditary kidney disease, our research programme offers hope that future generations will not continue to be blighted by this terrible disease.”
A free drop-in event will take place at Inox on Durham Road on World Kidney Day from 4.30pm, where people can come along and speak to health care professionals, kidney patients and learn about pioneering research taking place in Sheffield. Details of the event can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldKidneyDaySheffield.
Dr Khwaja added: “I would urge as many people as possible to attend the event at Inox. We hope to reach as many people locally as possible on World Kidney Day and make them aware of this life-limiting disease and how they can prevent it and the help and treatment that is available if they suffer from it.”
On World Kidney Day, specialists and nurses from Sheffield Kidney Institute will also be going out into the community, visiting local secondary schools, mosques and GP surgeries to raise awareness of kidney disease. Students from Sheffield Hallam University will also be handing out bottles of water in Sheffield city centre urging people to look after their kidney health as well as fundraising for research into the killer disease.
Fiona Charlesworth explained: “My son and niece have also inherited the condition. While we know that current research into kidney disease will not help me and my brothers, it could help them and that’s very important to us.”
Sheffield Kidney Institute’s life-saving research includes learning about the causes and complications of kidney disease to being involved in clinical trials that test new, innovative treatments for kidney disease.
There will also be a Sheffield Kidney Institute stand at the University of Sheffield on World Kidney Day where they will be offering free blood pressure checks.
David Reynolds, Director of Sheffield Hospitals Charity commented: “We’re committed to supporting the vital research carried out by Sheffield Kidney Institute and are delighted to assist their work promoting a wider understanding of this disease on World Kidney Day.”
To make a donation to fund local research into kidney disease, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/SheffieldKidney-Institute/ or text HOSPITAL14 and the amount you wish to donate to 70660.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Communications Specialist
Tel: 0114 226 5033
Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
