Most people think of their heart when caring for major organs, but our kidneys play a major role in our everyday life keeping us healthy. I have a friend who had to have dialysis, to see the catheter that is permanently in the abdomen gives me chills. I couldn’t imagine needing to go to a dialysis center every week to have your blood cleaned of all the toxins that our healthy kidneys do naturally. My friend will need to have dialysis treatments for his whole life unless he’s able to get a kidney transplant, which isn’t likely for him.
My health as well as my husband’s health is very important to me. We try to live a healthy lifestyle but I also know that exercise and eating right aren’t the only things we need to do. Education is key! And let’s face it, as much as we try to live healthy, there’s always the nachos and buffalo wings on Sundays!
When I partnered with the National Kidney Foundation, I was excited to be a part of a campaign that NFL legend Jerry Rice was partnered with too. I’m a HUGE football fan and can tell you everything about my team and legendary players like Jerry Rice but when it came to my kidneys, I didn’t know much. I never thought to talk to my doctor about kidney health.
Nobody dominated their position like Jerry Rice, he was voted No. 1 when NFL Network made its list of the best 100 players in the league. He’s the all-time leader in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and touchdown catches (197) but now he is a leader in the #HeartYourKidneys movement!
Did You Know:
Kidneys need the same love as the heart, the bladder, and the colon! They are hard workers and work 24/7 to rid our body of waste and keep our blood pressure in check, which keeps us alive and healthy! They also make red blood cells and control our PH levels. Your kidneys balance the pH of your body by either removing or adjusting the right amounts of acid and buffering agents.
Our doctor can check our Kidneys with two simple tests, a urine and a blood test. Kidney disease doesn’t only affect older people and even if you inherit kidney disease, you can still slow it down with lifestyle changes. BUT, you have to know first.
I once had a kidney infection that was so bad I was admitted to the hospital. I had such back pain that I could hardly walk and when I walked into the doctors office because of my fever (and not the back pain) he sent me immediately to the ER. Ever since then, I make sure to give my kidneys as much love as my heart and my Sunday football!
It’s time for us to use our voice to join Jerry Rice and your other favorite NFL players to help join the #HeartYourKidneys movement!
Go to #HeartYourKidneys now!
Or check them out on social and share!
Facebook: @nationalkidneyfoundation
Instagram: @nationalkidneyfoundation
Twitter: #HeartYourKidneys
