Fostering Advocacy For Kidney Conditions

Cincinnati Children’s celebrated World Kidney Day on March 13, 2025, with an event raising awareness and encouraging connection.

Around 100 people, including patients with kidney disease and their families, attended a program at Sabin Auditorium in honor of the global health awareness day. The event featured tables hosted by members of internal teams like Child Life and social services, as well as a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with patients and patient family members who shared their stories.

“We wanted participants to have an opportunity to connect with other patients, families, care team members and community organizations to share experiences, ask questions and learn more about living with kidney disease and kidney transplant,” says Corey Bowman, MS, MHA, kidney transplant program manager, who planned the event in coordination with the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension.

‘Collaboration Is Key’ To Managing Kidney Disease

In addition to patients, families and team members, the World Kidney Day event featured representatives from several community organizations, including Off The List, a nonprofit that helps people find a kidney from a living donor; Network for Hope, an organ procurement organization; and the National Kidney Foundation.

“Our community partners play an essential role in how we care for patients and families beyond the walls of our hospital,” says Jason Huff, MSN, RN, assistant vice president of transplant services and subspecialty programs. “We were honored to have Network for Hope, Off The List and the National Kidney Foundation join us to provide support, education and hope to those navigating various stages of kidney disease. Events like this remind us that collaboration is key to creating a more informed, connected, compassionate kidney care community.”

Charles Varnell, Jr., MD, MS, medical director of kidney transplant, says education and collaboration are the most important ways to improve kidney disease, whether it’s at the local, national or global level.

“Diagnosing kidney disease at an early stage—when you can still intervene—is so important,” he says. “At our health system, we’re always looking for ways to raise awareness and work with providers and partners in the community to get ahead of the kidney disease process.”

Bowman says Cincinnati Children’s plans to host the World Kidney Day event again next year.

“We had a great turnout,” she says, adding, “Bringing awareness to kidney disease is vital. Because it doesn’t come with visible signs, kidney disease affects more people than many realize.”

(Published April 2025)

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