Raising awareness of chronic kidney disease

Could you or someone you care about have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and not even know it? The chances are high that the answer is yes. Estimates say more than 31 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease and many others are at risk and don’t even know it.

During National Kidney Month, DaVita and other kidney organizations want to raise awareness and encourage everyone to be screened for chronic kidney disease. When detected in early stages, steps can be taken to help prolong kidney function.

Read more about March National Kidney Month

Could you be at risk for kidney disease?

• Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes and chronic kidney disease
• Preventing chronic kidney disease when you have diabetes
• Diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease - DaVita
• Diabetes and minorities: What are the risks? - DaVita
• What's Your Blood Pressure? - DaVita 
• Risks for CKD in African Americans - DaVita
• Risks for CKD in Asian Americans - DaVita
• Risks for CKD in Hispanic Americans - DaVita

Learn more about chronic kidney disease on DaVita.com

• Definition, causes and symptoms of chronic kidney disease
• How to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease
• Stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• The DaVita.com GFR Calculator
• Lifestyle choices for those with chronic kidney disease
• What to eat when you have kidney disease

Check out these other kidney websites

YourKidneys.com
YourKidneys.com is a website designed to empower and educate people about kidney disease. We seek to build an online community where people can get helpful information from medical experts, share their experiences on the message boards, and learn about kidney disease through education articles and health tools.

The Kidney TRUST
The Kidney TRUST™ aims to benefit the 31 million American adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as the 506,000 Americans with kidney failure that require dialysis or a kidney transplant. The Kidney TRUST was formed to increase awareness of kidney disease through public education and testing programs so that progression of CKD to kidney failure can be delayed or prevented.

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC)
With more than 22,000 dialysis and pre-dialysis patients making up their membership, DPC is working to improve the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. DPC is a nationwide, nonprofit, patient-led dialysis organization with membership open only to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and their families.

World Kidney Day (WKD)
World Kidney Day™ is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). The mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

DaVita Kidney Awareness Run|Walks
The DaVita Kidney Awareness Run|Walks™ seek to raise awareness of kidney disease among the 1 in 6 Americans who have the disease-- most of whom don't know it. The website includes tips and tools for educating friends, families and entire communities about kidney disease. You can also sign up for one of the 2010 Run|Walks to further raise awareness and funds to fight kidney disease. Now through April 30, the site is hosting a contest to make a 30-second video about kidney disease and the importance of getting tested for it.