Kids Kidney Research

World Kidney Day – 13 March 2008

The purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys – an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well – and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.

The main job of our kidneys (which are roughly the size of two fists and are located deep in our abdomen, beneath our rib cage) is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. Every day our kidneys filter and clean 200 litres of blood – a quantity that would fill about 200 bottles or 20 buckets! Besides this impressive, daily feat, kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.

Kids Kidney Research have put together a information pack with a selection of fun and exciting ideas on how to mark this important day.  Click on the links below to download the pack,

• Parent and Teacher Information Pack – explains why the kidneys are important, how they function and how to keep them healthy.  Includes a selection of links to websites that provide information about specific kidney diseases.
• Activities Sheet – a range of children’s activities, ranging from practical water based activities, to on-line interactive quizzes and hydration calculators.
• Drawing -  find out where the kidneys are and colour them in!
• Information Sheet – ways that you can support Kids Kidney Research, a charity that funds research into children’s kidney disease
• Feedback form – let us know what you think of our pack!

Our thanks go to Angela Champness M.A. Ed. Headteacher of Bramley Church of England Infants School in Surrey for her help in compiling the pack.

Further publicity materials can be downloaded from the World Kidney Day website.  Find out about other UK events to mark World Kidney Day here.

Schools around the country will be marking the day by raising awareness of kidneys and the function they perform.  Why not join in the fun!  Send us photographs of your activities on World Kidney Day and we will publish them on our website!