Media Release

Billy Kidney Starts the Race for Healthy Kidneys


	22 May 2008

Kidney Health Week 24th May - 31st May 2008

Kidney Health Australia is using Kidney Health Week 2008 to promote kidney health awareness to schools with a program aimed at alerting people to the amazing role their kidneys play and by also promoting water as nature's choice of drink.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said research has shown that less than 5% of the general community worldwide is aware of where their kidneys are and what they do.

"We are keen to get children understanding the function of their kidneys and how to keep them healthy.

"This is also a message we believe students can take home to parents."

Billy Kidney will promote his tips to keep the kidneys healthy and will also encourage schools to promote Kidney Health to parents and the wider community.

Billy Kidney's Health Tips
Tips for a healthy diet:

Eat lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain bread and rice.

Eat some lean meat such as chicken and fish at least once a week.

Eat reduced-fat and low-fat dairy products

Limit the amount of fatty foods you eat, such as fried fish and chips, fried or baked chicken, and potato crisps.

Lower your salt intake. Buy low or no-salt products and don't add salt to food or the dinner table setting.

Eat more at home, not take-away - less temptation

Exercise
The benefits of regular exercise are wide-reaching. Not only can it help to maintain and reduce weight, it can also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, risk factors for kidney disease.

Smoking
If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do, quit! This is the simplest, most important lifestyle habit to change to reduce the risk of kidney disease. People who smoke are three times more likely to have reduced kidney function, and have a four to five times greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
More information available at www.kidney.org.au

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201

Billy Kidney Starts The Race For Healthy Kidneys

Performance-testing your kidneys will help keep your kidneys in top gear.

Messages for Parents

CHECK YOUR RISK:
Try this quick quiz to assess whether you are at risk of kidney disease. Tick if you:
0 Are diabetic
0 Have high blood pressure
0 Have a family history of kidney disease
0 Are over 50
0 Are a smoker
0 Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
If you answered YES to one or more of the above then you are at risk of kidney disease

What should you do?
Visit your local doctor TODAY and ask for a Kidney Performance test.
The test can include a:
0 Blood pressure test
0 Blood test
0 Urine test
0 Lifestyle assessment guidelines

More information available at www.kidney.org.au

Kidney Help Info Line 1800 4 543 639