- Categories:
- Health
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- Awareness
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- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every March
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National Kidney Month dedicates every March to raising vital awareness for kidney disease and promoting kidney health. Join the movement to educate yourself on prevention, support research, and advocate for the millions affected by chronic kidney disease. Get involved by sharing information, participating in events, and donating to kidney foundations.
Want to sponsor National Kidney Month? Learn how
Expected National Kidney Month Deals
Throughout March, National Kidney Month sees a surge in fundraising and awareness campaigns rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the National Kidney Foundation and the American Kidney Fund often partner with corporations for donation match programs, virtual walks, and round-up-at-checkout initiatives at retailers. Pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca and Bayer may sponsor educational content, research grants, or public health screenings to promote early detection. Look for health and wellness brands offering special promotions on kidney-friendly foods or supplements, with a portion of sales benefiting kidney disease research. Many local health clinics and hospitals also offer free or low-cost screenings during this month. We encourage direct donations to reputable kidney charities to make the most impact during this crucial month.
Platform Guide for National Kidney Month
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalKidneyMonth. Share educational infographics and personal stories to raise awareness.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalKidneyMonth. Amplify key facts about kidney disease and advocate for early detection and prevention.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalKidneyMonth. Post visuals of healthy lifestyle choices that support kidney function and highlight patient journeys.
National Kidney Month Hero
Dr. Richard Bright
History of National Kidney Month
National Kidney Month, observed every March, brings awareness to kidney health and encourages people to support kidney disease research and take steps to keep their own kidneys safe and healthy.
Kidneys filter blood, make urine, and produce the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body. These vital organs also control blood pressure and produce vitamin D to keep bones strong.
Malfunctioning kidneys can lead to painful kidney stones and infections that, left untreated, require a transplant. Some pre-existing conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, put you at increased risk for kidney disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD) affects almost 40 million American adults. In 2016, three-quarters of a million people in the U.S. required dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis and kidney transplants, the only treatment options for severe kidney failure, are difficult, expensive, and not always available. Patients seeking new organs may not always get them in time to survive; in the U.S., twelve people die each day waiting for a kidney.
To prevent kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation recommends taking proactive steps to keep your kidneys healthy and prevent the onset of CKD. You can protect your kidneys by managing high blood pressure, making healthy food and drink choices, and reducing stress.
The National Kidney Foundation grew out of a mother’s determination to further research into treatment for kidney conditions. When her infant son was diagnosed with nephrosis, Ada DeBold started the Committee for Nephrosis Research to organize efforts to find treatments and connect patients and doctors. DeBold continued crusading for the organization, which eventually became the National Kidney Foundation. The Foundation conducts fundraising to support important research into the treatment and prevention of kidney disease.
National Kidney Month timeline
The NOTA establishes the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, which maintains an organ matching registry to address organ shortages and streamline the donation process.
The first successful kidney transplant is performed between two identical twins in Boston.
Dutch doctor Willem Kolff invents the "artificial kidney" to clean the blood of kidney failure patients.
The first successful kidney transplants in animals are performed at the Vienna Medical School.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Kidney Month
Local businesses can actively participate in National Kidney Month by hosting educational workshops on kidney health and prevention. Restaurants might offer special kidney-friendly menu items, highlighting low-sodium or plant-based options. Pharmacies can provide free blood pressure screenings, a key indicator of kidney risk, and distribute informational pamphlets. Consider partnering with a local kidney foundation for a donation drive or a ’round-up at the register’ campaign, ensuring funds support local patient services and research.
National Kidney Month FAQs
When is National Kidney Month?
In 2027, National Kidney Month will again be observed throughout March, providing a dedicated period for education and advocacy. This annual observance highlights the importance of kidney health for all.
How many Americans are affected by kidney disease?
By 2027, the number of Americans living with chronic kidney disease continues to be a significant public health concern, with millions impacted. Early diagnosis remains critical to managing the condition and preventing progression.
What are the main functions of the kidneys?
Beyond waste filtration, your kidneys play a key role in regulating electrolytes, maintaining bone health, and removing excess water from the body. Understanding these functions helps appreciate their importance in 2027 and beyond.
What are common symptoms of kidney disease?
While symptoms can be subtle, look out for persistent fatigue, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and itchy skin as potential indicators of kidney issues in 2027. Regular check-ups are key for early detection.
How to Observe National Kidney Month
Join the organ donor registry
Most organ donations come from deceased people. Register to be an organ donor when you die and your healthy organs and tissue can save dozens of lives.
Donate to a kidney non-profit
Non-profit organizations do the important work of raising awareness about kidney disease, providing resources and assistance to patients, and connecting patients, doctors, and donors.
Be good to your kidneys
Are you keeping your kidneys healthy? Aim for a lower intake of sodium and sugars, more whole grains and low-fat dairy, and regular exercise to reduce your risk of kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other diseases.
5 Fascinating Facts About Kidneys
You only need one kidney to live
Although you're born with two kidneys, each of which have about 1.5 million blood-filtering units(nephrons), you only need about 300,000 nephrons to filter your blood properly.
Your kidneys are lopsided
The right kidney is slightly smaller and sits lower than the left to make room for another important organ, the liver.
You can drink too much water
This can cause a condition called hyponatremia, which, though not common, can damage the kidneys.
Sausage casing and orange juice cans
Willem Kolff, who invented the first artificial kidney that led to today's dialysis technology, used sausage casings, orange juice cans, and a washing machine to create a rudimentary blood cleaning mechanism.
Climate change may increase kidney disease
As parts of the world get warmer, the dehydration that leads to kidney disease is likely to rise among manual laborers.
Why National Kidney Month is Important
It reminds us to be good to our bodies
Make sure you take care of your body and your vital internal organs so they can continue taking care of you.
It’s a chance to express gratitude for our health
If you have fully functional kidneys, be grateful! Take a minute to feel gratitude for all the internal organs that do the invisible, daily work of keeping us alive.
It shows that science is awesome
Just a few decades ago, kidney disease could mean a death sentence. Today, although it’s still a serious and frightening illness, we can often fight off kidney failure with dialysis and organ transplants.
Social Media Tips for National Kidney Month
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