Skip to contents
In This Issue:
The BWH Renal Division has big plans in store this spring to raise awareness of kidney disease, including a walk on May 17. Last week, the division was off to a great start with a free kidney health screening in the 75 Francis St. lobby that drew about 150 people.
“The event gave us the opportunity to screen patients who have never paid much attention to the health of their kidneys in the past, identify those who are at risk and increase awareness of kidney disease in general,” said Li-Li Hsiao, MD, director of BWH’s Asian Renal Clinic, who organized the event along with Joseph Bonventre, MD, PhD, chief of the Renal Division.
During the screening on World Kidney Day, patients received blood pressure checks and diabetes evaluations and had the opportunity to speak with physicians about the results.
According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), kidney disease is on the rise, and as many as 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease. Because symptoms may not appear until the kidneys are actually failing, many people do not take steps to protect the health of their kidneys.
Organizers of the event are hopeful that the screening day will carry the momentum until the National Kidney Foundation 2009 Kidney Walk on May 17.
“The walk presents an opportunity for family, friends and colleagues to celebrate life while participating in an inspiring, community-based event to call attention to the need for early detection of kidney disease,” said Brad Denker, MD, of the Renal Division, who was recently elected chairman of the NKF’s Medical Advisory Board, along with BWH’s Kevin Tucker, MD, who is associate chairman. “With everyone’s help, we can surpass our participation in previous walks and increase funding for support of NKF’s patient services, public and professional initiatives and kidney research.”
To register or donate for the walk, visit walk.kidney.org or contact Katy Powell at 617-732-5918 or kpowell6@partners.org