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One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease. Are you, or is someone you know affected? This World Kidney Day, March 8th, The Kidney Foundation of Canada along with the Can-SOLVE CKD Network and the Canadian Society of Nephrology are urging Canadians to learn more about their kidney health. Ask your doctor about a simple blood test that can identify common kidney problems, and have your blood pressure monitored regularly.

"This year, World Kidney Day falls on the same date as International Women’s Day, offering a unique opportunity for us to focus on women’s kidney health," said Elizabeth, Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. "The Kidney Foundation of Canada, in partnership with Can-SOLVE CKD and the Canadian Society of Nephrology, encourage and empower women to educate themselves to maintain a kidney healthy lifestyle."

Through the theme of this year’s World Kidney Day, “Kidneys and Women’s Health – Include, Value, Empower”, the international organization is calling for affordable and equitable access to kidney health education, care and prevention for all women and girls globally.
 
Four million Canadians live with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An estimated 3,000 Canadians die from kidney disease each year. It is the 9th leading cause of death for women in this country. Indigenous peoples, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

“By involving patients, many of whom are women, in identifying research questions and contributing to the network’s work as a whole, we are working to make a real difference in the statistics and the lives of Canadians living with kidney disease,” said Dr. Adeera Levin who, along with Dr. Braden Manns, are Co-Leads of the Can-SOLVE CKD Network. “In support of the unique health issues of women and girls living with kidney disease, the network has recently appointed Dr. Sofia Ahmed as Sex and Gender Lead. In this role, Dr. Ahmed will advise our research teams on issues related to sex and gender as they carry out their work.”

Women are more at risk for certain kidney diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and both acute and chronic kidney infections. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect a woman’s ability to start a family, and raise healthy children. Pregnancies among women with kidney disease carry different risks, depending on levels of kidney function, and can lead to serious health complications such as pre-eclampsia, and preterm births. 

“There is no cure for kidney disease, and it has devastating consequences on the quality and quantity of life for those affected,” said Dr. Deborah Zimmerman, President Elect of the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN). “Kidney disease impacts women of all ages, limiting their ability to build a career and start a family. Well-earned retirement may be replaced by treatment schedules that interfere with the ability to travel and enjoy grandchildren. We need to find better ways to minimize the tremendous burden of symptoms, and simplify treatments. Helping the patients of today and tomorrow requires a renewed investment in research.”
 
To find out if you have any of the risk factors for kidney disease, take this short quiz: (link to page to 2.2.3.3 Are you At Risk)

Download the full press release