Skip to main content
Blog post
Thursday 13 March 2025

World Kidney Day 2025: Raising Awareness and Taking Action

Today (Thursday 13 March) is World Kidney Day, a global campaign to raise awareness of kidney health and the importance of early detection and prevention of kidney disease.

This year’s theme, "Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health", highlights the importance of recognising kidney disease risk factors and accessing timely testing to improve early detection, treatment and outcomes.

Bringing Kidney Health Checks to UHS

In line with this theme, our renal team at UHS, as part of the Wessex Kidney Centre, has been offering free kidney health screenings at the hospital’s main entrance throughout the day. The response has been phenomenal, with queues of over 20 people at a time forming, as staff and visitors took the opportunity to assess their kidney health.

Some of the team at the stand at UHS' main entrance
Some of the Wessex Kidney Centre team at the stand at UHS' main entrance

With an estimated 10% of the population in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (220,000 people) living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) - early detection is crucial. Today’s screenings included: quick questionnaires to assess CKD risk, point-of-care blood tests measuring creatinine and eGFR, and one-to-one consultations with our senior renal specialists.

Educating Healthcare Professionals

Alongside public screenings, UHS hosted a day-long educational event for a range healthcare professionals, focusing on CKD in the community, ways to slow disease progression, research advancements, and transplantation.

The Acute Kidney Injury Team
The Acute Kidney Injury Team at the World Kidney Day event at UHS
UHS nurse, Marianne, with her winning cake entry.
UHS nurse, Marianne, with her winning cake entry.

Among the speakers at the event was Beccy Hoddinott Isaac, who shared her inspiring journey of receiving a kidney transplant from her husband, Mark. You can read more on her incredible story on our news pages.

Kirsten Armstrong with former patient, Beccy
Kirsten Armstrong with former patient, Beccy

This week also marks the first-ever #LivingDonationWeek, a national campaign encouraging people to learn more about becoming a living kidney donor and the life-changing difference it can make.

Could you help someone like Beccy? Find out more about living kidney donation on the Organ Donation pages. 

Running for Kidney Health

Meanwhile, members of the adult and paediatric nephrology teams, along with paediatric renal nurses, have taken their commitment to kidney health a step further - running 20 miles from Southampton to Portsmouth in a sponsored challenge. Their goal is to raise awareness of kidney disease and support vital research through the Wessex Kidney Patients Association.

Dr Rodney Gilbert and colleagues
Dr Rodney Gilbert and a team of colleagues from UHS and Wessex Kidney Centre, before their 20 mile run to Portsmouth.

Protect Your Kidney Health

Kidney disease can often go unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage. Taking simple steps - like staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, controlling blood pressure, and getting regular health checks - can make a big difference.

Are your kidneys OK? Even if you missed today’s events, you can still take action. Speak to your GP about your risk factors, and visit the NHS pages on chronic kidney disease.