March is Kidney Health Month in Canada and provides an opportunity for each of us to recognize the vital role that our kidneys play in our health and survival. Our kidneys clean our blood, filtering out toxins that would quickly be fatal to us if allowed to remain in our bloodstream. There is no cure for kidney disease: when our kidneys fail, there is only treatment, and almost 50,000 people in Canada are presently being treated for kidney failure. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and hereditary factors all contribute to the rise in kidney disease.
Living a healthy lifestyle is one way to help your kidneys stay healthy. Another way is to have regular check-ups with your doctor to ensure that you are not showing early warning signs of kidney disease. Catching the symptoms early is an important way of warding off more serious problems from developing that could lead to needing treatment such as dialysis or transplantation.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada invests millions of dollars each year towards research initiatives that are leading the way to better treatment options, and a better quality of life for kidney patients. During Kidney Health Month and throughout the year, please consider supporting your local Chapter of the Kidney Foundation. Your donation of time or money will help the Foundation continue its work towards preventing kidney disease, detecting it earlier, and improving treatments to help Canadians live longer, healthier lives.
Matthew MacFarlane
President, Atlantic Canada Branch
Kidney Foundation of Canada
