A recent survey has revealed that Americans who take care of loved ones who are sick or have special medical needs had a surprising lack of knowledge about the leading causes of kidney disease!
For example, 85% could not name high blood pressure as a leading cause of kidney disease, while 74% of respondents have a loved one with high blood pressure!
Similarly, 69% could not name diabetes as a leading cause of kidney disease, despite 55% of survey participants having a loved one with diabetes!
Sadly, 9 out of 10 people with early kidney disease are completely unaware they have it. Since the disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death, that statistic needs to change!
To help raise awareness for the silent killer, boxer and television personality Laila Ali joined the American Kidney Fund president and CEO, LaVarne A. Burton, in Manhattan on Thursday to launch the organization's Pair Up campaign.
They revealed an eye-catchingly informative billboard above the Times Square Studio that promotes the campaign encouraging women to protects themselves and loved ones from the disease.
It was found that only 1 in 4 doctors checked patients for the disease, so educate yourself about the symptoms and don't wait to be checked — ASK to be checked!
Click here to visit PairUpNow.org to join Laila in the fight against kidney disease!
[Image via Getty Images.]
Tags: american kidney fund, awareness, blood pressure, campaign, diabetes, laila ali, manhattan, pair up, times square, women