World Kidney Day: Why Kidney Health Matters More Than Most People Realize
When most people think about their kidneys, they probably don’t think much at all. These two fist-sized organs work quietly in the background, filtering about 200 quarts of blood every day, balancing fluids, regulating blood pressure, and keeping the body running smoothly.
But for millions of Americans living with kidney disease—and for the thousands waiting desperately for a transplant—kidneys are never far from mind.
Today is World Kidney Day, a global reminder to check in on these small but essential organs.
I bet you didn’t know that Fresh Green Light has employed 2 people who have had transplants: one was a heart transplant and one was a kidney/pancreas transplant. The kidney/pancreas transplant employee is now a huge advocate and volunteer for kidney issues and you may have spoken with her, Ivey.
She was affected by kidney disease in 2010 when her kidneys began to fail. As kidney failure progresses, patients must rely on dialysis, spending countless hours connected to a machine that performs some of the work their kidneys can no longer do.
She got her transplant in 2017 after being on dialysis and waiting for 3+ years for her new organs.
Survival brought a new sense of responsibility. Ivey got active and chose to speak up for the thousands of people still waiting for the same chance.
The Hidden Epidemic
Kidney disease is far more common—and far more silent—than most people realize.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives each year than breast or prostate cancer.
- 1 in 7 American adults—about 37 million people—has kidney disease.
- 90% of them don’t know it. Kidney disease often has no symptoms until the damage is advanced.
- 1 in 3 adults is at risk, largely due to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or family history.
For those whose kidneys fail completely, transplant is often the best long-term treatment. But the numbers reveal a difficult reality:
- More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a kidney transplant.
- The average wait can be 4–7 years.
- Twelve people die every day while waiting.
After the transplant, Ivey became involved with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) as a patient advocate.
That advocacy has taken Ivey from a hospital room and into congressional offices, meeting with members of Connecticut’s delegation—including Representative Jim Himes and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy—to share the patient perspective and highlight the importance of kidney health, early detection, and transplant access.
The ultimate message is simple: kidney disease is deadly and affects far more people than most realize.
Why Early Detection Matters
Kidneys perform several critical functions:
- Filtering waste and excess water from the blood
- Producing urine to remove toxins
- Balancing electrolytes and fluids
- Regulating blood pressure
- Supporting red blood cell production
- Maintaining healthy bones through vitamin D activation
When kidneys begin to fail, many of these processes are disrupted. Without treatment through dialysis or transplant, kidney failure is fatal.
The good news is that kidney disease can often be detected early with simple tests and managed before it progresses.
Check Your Risk
Because kidney disease is so often silent, one of the most important steps anyone can take is simply to learn their risk level.
On this World Kidney Day, consider taking a moment to check your risk factors and learn more about kidney health.
You can check your kidney disease risk here:
https://www.kidney.org/kidney-quiz/
Awareness and early detection save lives—and sometimes, they give someone the chance for a second life.