Now in its 8^th year, the Big Red Kidney Walk is Kidney Health Australia’s annual event to bring the community together to raise awareness and funds to fight kidney disease and show support for loved ones who are bravely living with the debilitating impacts of the disease.

According to Kidney Health Australia, 1.7 million Australians are affected by kidney disease but 1.5 million of those are unaware they’re living with the disease.

“The shocking fact about kidney disease is that a person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before any symptoms are apparent,” says Chris Forbes, CEO, Kidney Health Australia. “A person could be relatively fine one day and the next they could be in hospital facing a life sentence of continuous dialysis or on a transplant list, waiting for a suitable kidney donor. We need to prevent people reaching this point so the Walks are a great opportunity to get the message out to the community to check their kidney health.”

The Walks help to fund vital early detection work, research and support activities such as the Transplant House and Big Red Kidney Bus programs.

“Our fundraising target is $350,000 but we’d love to smash it so we can do more for our kidney community,” says Mr Forbes. “We urge everyone to dress in red and join us for a day of fun, entertainment and exercise and together let’s fight kidney disease.”

There’s still plenty of time for people to register for one of Kidney Health Australia’s flagship walks in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, or to organise their own community walks in other locations. To register, visit www.bigredkidneywalk.org.au

About Kidney Health Australia

Kidney Health Australia is a not-for-profit and the peak body for kidney health in Australia with the aim to protect 5 million at risk Australians from developing end stage kidney disease, and to save and improve the lives of people already affected by the disease through support services and funding crucial research. To find out more visit www.kidney.org.au

Kidney Health Facts

• Kidneys are essential to a person’s health and wellbeing. They rid your body of waste (through urine), clean your blood of waste and toxins, regulate your blood pressure and manage the production of Vitamin D – essential to strong bones, muscles and overall health!
• The biggest risk factors for kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, established heart problems and/or stroke, family history of kidney failure, smoking, obesity, being 60 years or older, of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, or a history of acute kidney injury. To check your risk visit www.kidney.org.au/kidneyrisktest
• 65 people die with kidney-related disease every day
• Kidney disease is a silent killer – sufferers can lose 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms
• 1 in 3 people in Australia are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease
• A staggering 1.7 million Australian adults are affected by kidney disease while 1.5 million of those are unaware of it
• Kidney-related disease kills more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and road accidents combined
• Tragically, one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have indicators of chronic kidney disease and are four times more likely to die from it than the non-Indigenous population.