Isn’t kidney disease just caused by lifestyle choices?
Kidney disease doesn’t affect many people, does it?
Transplants are a cure for kidney disease, right?
#DontKidYourself
If, like us, you’re fed up with people not taking kidney disease seriously enough, then join the World Kidney Day 2026 #DontKidYourself campaign. On Thursday 12 March you can help us bust these myths and share the true facts.
Kidney disease is not a disease that affects only a handful of people. Over SEVEN million people have it in the UK. Maybe that’s your neighbour. Your parent. Your work colleague. Your child. Or even you.
Millions of people suffer in silence, facing poor physical and mental health, isolation, stigma, financial hardship, and poor employment opportunities. Meanwhile, research remains critically underfunded and lags behind other major health conditions. This needs to change.
What is World Kidney Day?
World Kidney Day is an annual campaign to help raise awareness of kidneys and show the impact when they don’t work properly. It also aims to educate people on what kidneys do, the symptoms of kidney disease and how to improve your kidney health.
Think you’d know if you had kidney disease? Check these symptoms:
- Extra Tiredness
- Swollen ankles, feet or hands
- Persistently puffy eyes or face
- blood or froth in your wee
- Needing to wee more often
- Itchy skin
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling or being sick
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Discomfort in the lower back, side or abdomen
If you consistently experience any of the symptoms listed above, or have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease (such as polycystic kidney disease), please speak to your GP and ask them to test your kidney function.
There are usually no symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the early stages and people might feel healthy and well. It may only be diagnosed if you have a blood or urine test for another reason and the results show a possible problem with your kidneys.
Kidneys can also suddenly stop working properly, which is known as acute kidney injury (AKI). It largely happens due to illness, infection, medication reactions, dehydration, or kidney stones. AKI needs immediate treatment but is usually temporary, and kidney function often improves. However, having AKI can increase the risk of CKD. If you've had AKI before and have concerns, especially with symptoms mentioned on this page, speak to your GP.
For more information about World Kidney Day or how to get involved visit World Kidney Day 2026