Thomas Reiser

World kidney day : an idea whose time has come

The world needs a Kidney Day to draw global attention to the increasing global pandemic of kidney and associated cardiovascular disease. Therefore the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) are jointly proposing that a World Kidney Day

The third World Kidney Day: looking back and thinking forward.

The beginnings of World Kidney Day There have probably been many people who conceived of marking one calendar day in which to call attention to the seriousness of kidney disease globally; many may even have shared their thoughts with others. But there is one man who not only conceived the idea but was persistent in persuading many in leadership positions to bring this notion—a World Kidney Day—to fruition. This man is also the founder of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF): Joel Kopple. He first conceived the idea of World Kidney Day in the spring of 2003, recognizing that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global, publichealth threat but is typically low on government health agendas; that it can be detected with simple and inexpensive tests, yet national detection programs are rare; and that although it can be treated with existing, effective therapies, few people with CKD receive appropriate health care. In September 2003, Kopple wrote to Warwick Prime, then president of IFKF, and proposed an annual World Kidney Day. In order to make it truly an international collaborative effort, representatives of IFKF and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) met in November 2003, and at that meeting, Kopple presented a précis entitled, “Proposal for the Establishment of a World Kidney Day.” A World Kidney Day ISN/IFKF liaison committee was established, the initial members being Bill Couser, John Dirks, Joel Kopple, Warwick Prime, and Jan Weening. In 2004, both the IFKF Executive Committee and the ISN Council endorsed the World Kidney Day program, and ISN agreed in 2005 to commit sufficient resources to enable a first World Kidney Day to be held on 7 March 2006. An editorial about World Kidney Day was published that month in eight scientific journals. Despite its being planned with short notice and few resources, kidney organizations in 45 countries enthusiastically embraced the first World Kidney Day and organized health-screening events, road shows, walkathons, public lectures, and press conferences. It was clear that World Kidney Day was responding to an urgent need and tapping the tremendous energy and motivation of kidney health professionals, patients, and their friends and relatives across the globe. That success was recognized by those from ISN and IFKF who met in April 2006 and agreed on a formal organizational structure for World Kidney Day. A memorandum of understanding between IFKF and ISN for the planning and implementation of an annual World Kidney Day was signed in June 2006 by the two presidents, Bill Couser (ISN) and Sudhir Shah (IFKF). The document stated that, “Based on a proposal and invitation by IFKF, IFKF and ISN jointly agree to declare an annual World Kidney Day to increase awareness, detection, prevention, and treatment of kidney and related diseases.” The World Kidney Day name and logo were trademarked and are now jointly owned by IFKF and ISN. A World Kidney Day steering committee was established with eight members-four members nominated by each organization-and a scientific advisory committee (Appendix). ISN agreed to provide the initial funding necessary for the central operational management of a World Kidney Day project team. The continued leadership of the ISN/IFKF Steering Committee in 2007 helped secure funding from global sponsors; create a World Kidney Day logo, slogan, web site, and ‘brand’; widely disseminate designs for posters, banners, T-shirts, and other promotional materials, which could be adapted for local use; gain the moral support of celebrities ranging from Tom Hanks to Jacques Rogge; and enlist the participation of 66 countries. Sudhir V Shah1

The third World Kidney Day: Looking back and thinking forward (Editorial)

The date 13 March 2008 heralds the third annual World Kidney Day (WKD) – an event that will be celebrated in more than 60 countries. Starting as an initiative of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations and the International Society of Nephrology, the WKD has rapidly gained worldwide traction and momentum. The remarkable initiative and ingenuity of kidney organizations on the second WKD, 8 March 2007, can be viewed on http:// www.worldkidneyday.org, a website that will also feature planned activities for 13 March 2008, which promises to be an even greater event, with continued emphasis on the message that ‘kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable’.