HemoCue^® is proud to have been a World Kidney Day supporter since it started in 2006. We honor the day as a day with extra focus on renal disease and its serious effects to the ones being diagnosed, their families and relatives being affected socially and financially, but also the related effects on society and health care expenditures associated with the costly treatment of renal disease. It is a perfect day to raise the importance, and possibilities, of preventative activities.

During the 2011 World Kidney Day, as one of the external activities, we collaborated with our organization HemoCue^® Kenya, through Mrs Prisca Onyo, and the local Kidney Health Awareness and Treatment Options, KHATO, through Mr Valentine Bede, and performed a screening of close to 500 people in Eldoret, Kenya. The screening included, but was not limited to, blood pressure, glucose and albuminuria. Health related educational information was provided by dedicated hospital staff. Some of the people being screened were referred to a nephrologist for follow up and extended management!

We will remain devoted to this project confident that something very good will come out of it. It is a true pleasure to see what comes out of a project where people connect, share knowledge and information, people who are devoted in their will to do good and it all comes to the benefit of the people!

For internal education purposes, a movie, “On a journey for life” produced by HemoCue^®, was shown for the employees at the HemoCue^® head quarters in Ängelholm, Sweden. At the same occasion a presentation of the opportunities for early detection and prevention was on display.

We are grateful for the efforts done and am confident that the performed activities will aid in further expansion of screening programs – with the aim of reducing the risk for severe renal disease and all that comes with it. It is of importance to realize that with renal disease comes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease which in combination may provide a more serious prognosis.

Our kidneys are amazing – and if we take care of our kidneys we may save our hearts!

World Kidney Day is a joint initiative between the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

It is a day which recognizes the importance of our “amazing kidneys” and although it should be in focus every day – it has a special day devoted to activities related to awareness, to encourage preventative efforts and for education at different levels. This day is always the second Thursday in March.