Petaling Jaya, 16 February 2016 - In conjunction of World Kidney Day 2016, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF), together with Malaysian Society of Nephrology and Ministry of Health, is inviting Malaysians to raise awareness for kidney disease through a fun Family Walkathon on 12 March 2016 (Saturday), 7am at Metropolitan Park, Kepong.
World Kidney Day is observed globally every year on the second Thursday of March and this year, World Kidney Day 2016 falls on 10 March 2016. The theme of the year is “Kidney Disease & Children” to highlight a need to encourage a healthy lifestyle in children since young and act early to prevent the onsets of kidney disease.
"In our 11th year of the World Kidney Day campaign, we set out to advocate prevention and early diagnosis of kidney disease, especially in our children because many children may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age,” said Dr. Wan Jazilah Wan Ismail, the Malaysian Organising Chairperson of World Kidney Day 2016. “Through the campaign, we want to educate and facilitate education, early detection and a healthy life style in children that should start at birth and continue until old age.”
Kidney disease can affect children for a variety of reasons, mainly from inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney, as well as those with family history of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension may be at risk. World Kidney Day 2016 also aims at providing support for the thousands of families in Malaysia with children living with kidney disease.
“By organising a walkathon for all ages, we hope to be able to advocate for a more active lifestyle while encouraging parents to be more involved in their children’s wellbeing,” Dr. Wan Jazilah added. “We also have free health screenings onsite to help parents and families have a better understanding of their health. We urge members of the public to join forces in instilling an awareness of the risks of kidney disease that originates in childhood to build a healthier future generation."
Members of the public can sign up for the 3.5km NKF Family Walkathon by logging onto the NKF website at http://www.nkf.org.my. The registration fee is RM25 per adult and RM15 for children below 18. Registration closes 4 March 2016.
Aside from free health screenings, there will be health exhibition booths, a colouring competition, games and many more exciting activities. NKF’s Family Walkathon was proudly made possible with the support of Fresenius Medical Care, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Baxter, Roche, Abbvie, Maybank and BSN.
Proceeds from the Family Walkathon will be channeled towards NKF’s efforts in raising awareness about kidney disease and providing treatment for Malaysia’s underprivileged kidney disease patients.
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