{"id":4852,"date":"2018-03-19T14:02:27","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T18:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/medicine\/world-kidney-month\/"},"modified":"2023-06-06T17:25:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T21:25:54","slug":"world-kidney-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/medicine\/news\/world-kidney-month\/","title":{"rendered":"March is Kidney Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

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March is Kidney Awareness Month–the time to highlight a disease that affects more than 30 million Americans. It\u2019s important to know the risk factors of chronic kidney disease, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and family history of kidney disease, among others. Kidney disease can also be caused by glomerular diseases, autoimmune disease, or can be a genetic disease. Kidney disease usually has no early symptoms. Therefore, it\u2019s important to be tested. While there is often no cure, it can be treated, and many cases of kidney disease are preventable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and the UNC Kidney Center at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill are working together to reduce the incidence and burden of kidney disease, focusing on enhancing and integrating first-in-class research, providing outstanding patient care, and training the next generation of leading kidney specialists. Nationally recognized nephrology experts maintain and continuously expand a robust clinical, translational and basic research portfolio that encompasses acute, chronic and autoimmune diseases of the kidney. Patients receive world-class care that incorporates the latest medical findings while being treated in a compassionate, patient-centered environment.<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
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Integrating first-in-class research<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Dialysis Research Video<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recent dialysis research study shows many aspects of research can be improved to encourage broader patient participation and better align research and clinical processes in clinics. A product of the study is a new video tool that features actual participants in animation.<\/p>\n

Research can create better futures for people on dialysis, those who care for them in clinics and those who care for them at home. A new study led by UNC Kidney Center<\/a>\u2019s Dr. Jennifer Flythe<\/a>, recently published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases<\/a><\/em>, shows many aspects of research can be improved to encourage broader patient participation and better align research and clinical processes in dialysis clinics. Focus group participants agreed, more education about the research process is needed, and why it\u2019s important, for both patients and dialysis clinic personnel.<\/p>\n

A product of the study is a new video<\/a> tool Flythe hopes will generate awareness by sparking new conversations about dialysis research in the clinical setting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Stories from our patients, helping each other and sharing advice<\/span><\/h3>\n

David Cole’s Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

David Cole shares his story in this podcast<\/a> on how he went from a very healthy athlete, to a person diagnosed with kidney disease. And then, how his life changed after having a kidney transplant. Dr. Ron Falk interviews David about his experiences with kidney transplant, his life as an athlete, and promoting awareness of organ donation issues.<\/p>\n

David founded and organizes the Raven Rock Ramble<\/a>, a 100-mile bike ride which promotes awareness of organ donation issues, and benefits the UNC Kidney Center.<\/p>\n

The 17th Raven Rock Ramble is on May 6, 2018.<\/p>\n

Listen to the podcast and access transcripts on the UNC Kidney Center website<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Kidney Transplant Patient Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

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