The Red Sneaker
Brigade is set to Make a Noise About The Silent Killer - Chronic
Kidney Disease because people can lose up to 90% of kidney function without
even knowing it and be forced onto dialysis immediately.
Tim Mathieson, a
Kidney Health Australia Ambassador and partner of Deputy Prime Minister
Julia Gillard, sparked the concept of The Red Sneaker Brigade by wearing
his bright red sneakers into the Kidney Health Australia office, and has
kicked off the campaign by wearing his red sneakers out to the 20/20 Cricket
Game at the MCG recently.
The red sneakers certainly
attract a lot of attention and provide a good conversation starter to
get the message across about chronic kidney disease according to Tim who
said many people are looking to join the campaign by getting a pair of
their own.
Anne Wilson CEO of
Kidney Health Australia said red is Kidney Health Australia's colour and
the Red Sneaker Brigade will assist us create a greater awareness about
Chronic Kidney Disease.
"Up to two million
Australians may be affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and not even
know it. There is no cure for kidney disease with dialysis and transplant
the only options once the patient's kidneys fail. However,
if kidney disease is detected early it is treatable and its progression
can be delayed so patients may never have to revert to dialysis."
Ms Wilson said despite
kidney disease being responsible for the deaths of forty people a day
in Australia, being the cause of almost one third of visits to Australia's
public hospitals, and growing at 6% annually, there is a major lack of
public awareness about kidney disease.
"Our aim for
2009 is to 'Make A Noise about Chronic Kidney Disease' to ensure people
are aware of the risks to their kidneys, how to protect them and if they
are in the high risk categories.
"Chronic Kidney
Disease is a disease which not only impacts on older patients. In 2005,
33% of all new patients suffering kidney failure were under the age of
55.
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