Bermuda To Mark World Kidney Day
World Kidney Day will be recognised in Bermuda and around the world on March 8.
The Department of Health, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association have partnered to increase the awareness of kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.
This year’s 2012 Campaign will focus on the life-saving aspect of organ donation. The slogan for this year’s campaign is “Donate – Kidneys for Life – Receive”.
Chronic Kidney Disease [CKD] describes the gradual loss of kidney function. According to the Health Survey of Adults in Bermuda 2011 1.7% of the population has been told by a doctor that they have kidney disease.
Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood which are then excreted in the urine. When chronic kidney disease progresses, the damage to your kidneys cause dangerous levels of fluid and waste to accumulate in your body.
In addition to filtering the entire blood volume about 50 times per day, the kidneys also: release chemicals which help to produce red blood cells; prevent the blood becoming too acidic; and maintain the balance of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin D.
In the early stages of CKD, one may have few signs or symptoms. In fact CKD may not become apparent until your kidney function is significantly impaired.
The natural history of CKD is of progression to end stage renal failure. Treatment for CKD focuses on slowing the progression of the kidney damage, usually by controlling the underlying cause. CKD can progress to end-stage kidney disease, which is fatal without artificial filtering (dialysis) or a kidney transplant.
The two most common causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension. Persons who are at risk for CKD and should be screened include patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and a family history of kidney disease. Persons with CKD are at extremely high risk for cardiovascular disease.
The number of those being treated by haemodialysis in Bermuda has doubled since 1997. Since 1972, 104 Bermuda residents have received kidney transplants. Today there are 17 persons active on the kidney transplant waiting list.
The number of those waiting for a kidney transplant has grown around the world. However, the number of donors has not grown as fast.
During the week of World Kidney Day — March 5 through March 9 –there will be a number of activities organized to promote kidney awareness. Throughout the week, members of the public are encouraged to listen to the radio for informative interviews and a chance to win a prize by answering trivia questions.
BHB is highlighting kidney disease by inviting the community to stop by the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital [KEMH] lobby on March 8th between 9:00am to 3:00pm. Nurses from the Dialysis Unit will be available to discuss the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. A lobby display and information booth will be set up for the entire week.
Dr. Lynette Thomas, Medical Director for the Dialysis Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital said: “Unfortunately, Bermudians are disproportionately affected by renal disease. In the majority of cases, renal disease is related to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, diseases which affect Bermudians in great numbers. We want to encourage modifying lifestyle choices which lead to the majority of end-stage renal disease. People with diabetes mellitus or hypertension should have their kidney function assessed yearly. Our goal is to detect renal disease and offer appropriate therapy before patients reach end-stage renal disease and require haemodialysis. These steps will improve the quality of our Island’s health and wellbeing, while helping to control healthcare costs.”
Locally, the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association is working hard to educate the community regarding the organ donor process and to ensure the maximum procurement of organs and tissues for transplantation. They are affiliated with the New England Organ Bank and urge the public to become an organ donor. Members of the public can visit the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association at the Bank of Butterfield on Reid Street on Wednesday, March 7 from 11:00am until 3:00 pm where representatives will be on hand to answer all of your questions on organ donation as well as provide blood pressure and glucose checks.
Interested in Becoming an organ donor?
Here are some things you can do:
- Fill out and carry a donor card
- When renewing or obtaining a drivers license at the Transport Control Department say ‘yes’ to be a donor
- Share your decision to donate with your family so that your family knows about your interest in becoming an organ and tissue donor
For more information on organ donation go to the New England Organ Bank FAQ page or the Bermuda Hospitals Board organ donation page.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives.
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