March is National Kidney Month, World Kidney Day is March 10
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance and the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Alleghenies want everyone to take just a minute this March to learn about the risks of kidney disease because millions of people are unaware they have the life-threatening illness or may be at risk of getting it.
from the Morgantown City Council.
Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., and it is growing in prevalence. In fact, 33 percent of American adults are at risk for kidney disease. When a person’s kidneys fail, only dialysis and transplant can save them.
“Our state has one of the highest rates of kidney failure in the country, and kidney disease is among the leading causes of death for West Virginians,” Shelley Zomak, director of transplant operations and compliance with the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance, said. “Kidney transplant is one option for treating end-stage kidney disease and kidney failure, and West Virginians with end-stage kidney disease no longer need to leave the state for life-saving care. We are here to help at every step along the way.”
To prevent the need for dialysis or transplant, it is important to know the five risk factors for kidney disease. They are:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
Anyone who has one or more of these factors should visit MinuteForYourKidneys.org and find out what to do next.
Life-threatening kidney disease can strike anyone, young or old, and has many causes, but early intervention can make a difference. Lifestyle changes and a healthy diet can sometimes slow the progression of the disease when caught in the early stages, and sometimes can stop kidney failure.
The first steps to preventing kidney failure is knowing the risk and then getting tested. Two simple tests, one blood and one urine, can let a person’s doctor know how their kidneys are doing. It is easy to get tested, and the results can be lifesaving.
“Of the more than 113,000 people in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant, more than 95,000 are awaiting a kidney. These numbers are high. That’s why we are so passionate about working to reduce the number of people on the waiting list,” Zomak said. “We urge you to take control of your kidney health and to register to be an organ donor.”
On Tuesday, March 1, the Morgantown City Council issued a proclamation for National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day. Zomak and kidney transplant recipient Mary Nelson were on hand to accept the proclamation.
For more information on transplantation or to refer a potential kidney transplant patient, contact the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance at 304-974-3004. To register as an organ donor, visit RegisterMe.org/WVUMedicine.