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There are many things that mean a lot to me and Kidney Disease Awareness is one of them. This is a big factor of my real life very close to me. I gave my testimony in 2016's World Kidney Day blog and I did it to inform people by putting my personal business out there. This year is no different. This disease affects not only me but another sorority sister, Mandalyn. In this blog I will re-post our stories as well as give informative facts in order to help save a life. 

World Kidney Day is a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys

World Kidney Day comes back every year. This is done to create awareness. Awareness about preventive behaviors, awareness about risk factors, and awareness about how to live with a kidney disease. This is done because we want kidney health for all.

The Mission 

World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

The Purpose

• Raise awareness about our “amazing kidneys” Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
• Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD.
• Encourage preventive behaviors.
• Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
• Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening.
• Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative. (Source: )

• The kidneys are complicated and amazing organs that do many essential tasks to keep us healthy.
• The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. Kidneys also help to control your blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep your bones healthy.
• Each roughly the size of your fist, kidneys are located deep in the abdomen, beneath the rib cage.
• Your kidneys control blood stream levels of many minerals and molecules including sodium and potassium, and help to control blood acidity. Every day your kidneys carefully control the salt and water in your body so that your blood pressure remains the same.

850 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) cause at least 2.4 million deaths per year and are now the 6th fastest growing cause of death.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), an important driver of CKD, affects over 13 million people worldwide and 85% of these cases are found in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 1.7 people are estimated to die annually because of AKI.

Moreover, CKD and AKI are important contributors to increased morbidity and mortality from other diseases and risk factors including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, as well as infections such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Furthermore, CKD and AKI in children, not only lead to substantial morbidity and mortality during childhood but also result in medical issues beyond childhood.

Did you know?

Your Kidneys:

• Make urine
• Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
• Control your body’s chemical balance
• Help control your blood pressure
• Help keep your bones healthy
• Help you make red blood cells

Experiences with Kidney disease from two sisters of Eta Sigma Delta....

Mandalyn's story....
My Name is Mandalyn, and this is my story on Kidney disease. It affects thousands of people each year, I should know because I'm one of them.

I've been told by my parents that this all started back when I was 2 years old with Renal failure. My mom was told that I was completely fixed, but back then who truly knew. It wasn't until after my 15th birthday that it would come back to haunt me, more than my parents thought of course. I remember it clearly, it was June 15th, right after my mom's birthday, I went in for a normal check up and my mom was told I would go on dialysis that year.

I spent 8 months in the hospital that year, I even had my 16th birthday there as well, what a thrill huh to be 16 and no sweet 16 party to brag about or I got a car for my birthday at school. To think this can happen to you at the age of 16, my thoughts were, “Are they joking? This isn't even possible, I'm 16 and this is my best year ever!” Getting to drive a car and a party is what any one of us thinks about at that time but for me, it wasn't so i spent it in a different way.

The truth of the matter is it can happen to anyone, so getting checked is something I always recommend, don't ignore the signs! I take 9 pills in the morning and 9 pills at night, it's nothing great and fancy but the fact is that, I'm alive to see the sunset and sunrise each day which is the blessing God has given me all these years.

I feel truly alive after all this has happened and it's not the end of the road because it happens to you, it wasn't mine. My mom gave me her kidney so I could live and if it wasn't for her to be my match I could still be in a hospital or not at all but the simple fact, God gave me the reason to live and told me it's not my time and go out there and to help others. I spend two days out of my week which are my days off going to hospitals to speak with others like me to let them know it's going to be alright the best is yet to come. I read stories, or just talk to them, and get to know them. I spend about 8 hours between both days doing so, for me it's my way of giving back to those who are just like me, who are where I was these some odd years ago.

Don’t ever take anything for granted in this life, but if you are just like me in the beginning stages, hold your head up high because you my friend, you're going to make it, I just know it!

Thank you for letting me share my story I hope it enlightens some and encourages others to help out and donate or donate their time at the hospital for this wonderful cause.

Destiny's story...

While I am not directly affected by kidney disease, I am very, very close to it. Almost 8 years ago my one and only brother was diagnosed with kidney failure. When I heard this news it crushed my heart because at the percentage his kidneys were functioning I just knew I was going to lose my brother.... But GOD! My oldest niece, who is my brother's daughter got tested and by the grace of God she was a match and was willing to be a donor for her father.

The testing began and then came the surgery and all went well for my brother and my niece, however.... A little over year later we were right back where we started from and he was back in the hospital with something terribly gone wrong. This put my brother into a depression to have to go through dialysis and everything once again, but with prayers from his family and himself, God gave him the strength to move on and get on the list for another transplant.

A year after that, my husband who has sickle cell became gravely ill and it was then that we learned that he too was in kidney failure with his kidneys only functioning at 7 percent. He was immediately put on dialysis and to this day he goes to dialysis 3 times a week. With my husband, he has two very serious diseases and the same goes for my brother. With the sickle cell, this is how my husband ended up with kidney disease. During sickle cell crisis the body organs are broken down and over time organs get damaged. This year in February my husband was sick and hospitalized twice, once again due to Sickle Cell and kidney disease. During dialysis the blood is taken out of the body, cleansed and put back into the body but for him he always has bad side effects such as loss of blood. Dialysis helps him live on but also makes him seriously ill at the same time. With my brother, he has diabetes which also causes organ damage.

Both were told even with a new kidney, it is not a long term solution because of the ailment they already have.

This disease is serious and everyone should know what the symptoms are because if your kidneys are not functioning that means the waste that our body's make on a daily basis is not being removed.

I pray everyday for a better health report for my brother and my husband. I also get involved and have my own self tested as a donor because even if you cannot help financially, donors are needed everyday....

Want to support inworld? Check out Mu Sigm Nu - SL Fraternity - https://www.facebook.com/MuSigmaNuSL
they are doing a photo campaign to raise money! I got mine.

Stay informed...

Signing out

Dr. Destiny Davis-Santiago
             aka Big Sister On Point

👓 Save Your Vision Month

🔎According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), the average American spends seven or more hours per day looking at their screens- smart phones, tablets, LED monitors, and flat-screen TVs. This overexposure to blue light – high-energy visible light emitted from digital devices – can lead to digital eye strain, sleep problems, blurred vision, headaches and neck and shoulder pain, among other things.

During March’s 2019 Save Your Vision Month 2019, the following tips explore ways people can protect their eyes and monitor digital screen usage while at home or work:

• Power down before you turn in: Turn your digital devices off at least one hour before bed.
• Unplug with the AOA 20-20-20 rule: When you are using any device or computer, make a conscious effort every day to take a 20-second break and look away from the screen, every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.
• Step back: Maintain a comfortable working distance from your digital device by using the zoom feature to see small print and details, rather than bringing the device closer to your eyes.
• Adjust your device to fit your needs: The AOA recommends reducing the glare by adjusting device settings or using a glare filter to decrease the amount of blue light reflected from the screen.
• Schedule an appointment: Visit Dr. Jason Kaminski for a comprehensive eye exam to detect and address vision problems.

🔎Save Your Vision month is held every March and aims to increase awareness regarding good eye care. Organized by the American Optometric Association, the main focus of this event is to encourage more people to go for regular eye exams. With computers becoming an everyday part of people’s lives, the risk of eye strain and damage is higher than before. Apart from ordinary eye care, this month specially focuses on eye care in the work place with an emphasis on employers to take eye care and health seriously.

🔎Taken For Granted

Save Your Vision Month reminds many people of a rather shocking thing, that most of us take our vision for granted. Seeing is one of the easiest things to do in the world- you just have to open your eyes. Apart from that, so much of our lives are based on visual stimulation. From work to entertainment, our eyes form a large part of our everyday lives. Unfortunately, most of us don’t think about actual eye care until something goes wrong. It’s important to note that just like visiting the dentist regularly is important, regular eye checks are also important.

Some of the benefits of regular eye exams are very apparent. For instance, if the power of your eyesight is decreasing or faulty, corrective measures can be taken immediately. This is much healthier compared to putting up with eye strain until it becomes a real problem to see. Eye checks can also tell you a lot about your general state of health. For example, diabetes is very often diagnosed via an eye exam. Other diseases like glaucoma can be quickly detected and treated by going for regular eye tests.

🔎Eye Care At Work

Today, almost every work place is fitted with computers, whether it’s a corporate office or a small library. One of the biggest problems of continued and persistent computer use is eye strain. Many people who use computers for long stretches of time tend to complain about symptoms like dry eyes, blurry vision and eye strain. While it might not be feasible to cut down on computer use, there are a number of ways to maintain good eye care and health while you work. First of all, regular eye exams are a must and it’s important to tell your doctor how much computer work you do each day. When using your computer, make sure that you stop for breaks at regular intervals. It’s a good idea to just get up and walk to a window and just have a look outside. Allowing the eyes to look away from the screen, particularly at something soothing can be very resting for the eyes.

One problem many computer users face is a problem they probably aren’t even aware of- that is the fact that they don’t blink. When staring continuously at your monitor, you will blink a lot less than normal- this is what causes the problem of dry eye. When working at your computer, make a conscious effort to blink as much as possible. In fact, closing your eyes for a few seconds can really help as well. If you still face a problem, consider buying artificial tears and applying them to keep your eyes moist. If possible, install a humidifier in your work area.

The way you sit at your computer also plays a big role in the health of your eyes. Make sure the monitor is about 20 inches away from your eyes. The top of the monitor should be tilted a little below your eye level. Also make sure that you keep your monitor free of dust and fingerprints, as these can greatly reduce clarity. Last but definitely not least, remember that eating healthy can indeed improve the health of your eyes. Eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as getting a good night’s sleep are all important ways to preserve the health of your eyes. During this Save Your Vision Month, it’s important to take the necessary steps towards better eye care.

10 Ways to Save Your Vision

🔎1. Enjoy a cup of tea – Green tea contains antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin that help protect against AMD and cataracts.  It is it hydrating, helping you produce tears.

 🔎2. Take time to blink – On an average you blink about 15 – 20 times a minute. However, that rate drops by half when viewing text on a screen. Try using the 20/20/20 rule when staring at a screen: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds so you can blink naturally and give your eyes time to relax.

 🔎3. Wear sunglasses and a hat – Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can deteriorate vision over time, leading to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The American Optometric Association recommends sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation and that screen out 75 – 90% of visible light. And if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s a good idea to get sunglasses with lenses that are polarized, which means that they’ve been treated to reduce glare.  Since the sun doesn’t just affect your eyes from the front, try wearing a large brimmed hat to further protect your eyes.

🔎4. Increase the seafood in your diet – Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to bolster heart and brain health, as well as decrease your risk of eye disease. According to a study published in the 2011 Archives of Ophthalmology, women who ate canned tuna and dark-fish meat (mackerel, salmon, sardines, bluefish, swordfish) just once a week reduced their risk for AMD by 42%, as opposed to people that ate the same fish less than once a month.

 🔎5. Eat a rainbow – Eating a full rainbow of fruits and vegetables regularly helps give your body the nutrients it needs.  In addition to fiber, vitamins and minerals, naturally colored foods contain what are known as phytochemicals, which are disease-fighting substances that also give fruits and vegetable their array of colors.  Star nutrients are lutein and zeaxanthin—pigments found in such foods as dark, leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, peas, and Brussels sprouts. Also important are antioxidants found in red foods such as strawberries, cherries, red peppers and raspberries,  Orange foods have beta-carotene and include carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and yams.

🔎6. Use digital screens at a safe distance – The brightness and glare from computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions can lead to eyestrain after prolonged use. Recent studies have also shown ill-effects from the UV rays from these devices.  Symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, dry or red eyes and difficulty refocusing. Experts recommend keeping the computer screen at least an arm’s length away and that you hold a handheld device at least 16 inches from your eyes.

 🔎7. Contact lens solutions serve a purpose – While approximately 85% of contact lens wearers claim that they’re caring for their lenses properly, only 2% are according to a study out of Texas. The most harmful but common problem is moistening contacts with saliva instead of saline solution.

 🔎8. Make-up makeover – Replace tubes of mascara after three months, as it is a breeding ground for bacteria. Sharpen liner pencils regularly and while it is okay to line the base of your lashes, using the liner inside the lash line can block oil glands. Replace eye shadows yearly and don’t share your eye cosmetics.

 🔎9. Use protective goggles –   According to a 2008 study from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma, of the 2.5 million eye injuries in the US annually, nearly half happen at home.  Sports activities are another cause of eye injuries, from contact sports to sports that use balls that could catch you unaware.  When snowboarding or skiing remember to protect your eyes from the sun and wind with tinted goggles that have UV protection.

 🔎10. Have a yearly eye exam – Even if you don’t wear corrective lenses, adults should get a comprehensive eye exam (which includes dilating your pupils with drops) by age 40. After that a yearly eye exam is recommended to keep your eyes healthy and catch any changes in your eyes that may be indicators of eye disease.  If you have a family history of glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, or you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk for vision-related issues and your doctor may elect to see you more often.  If you have symptoms such as persistent pain inside or behind your eyes, redness, or gradual loss of vision, make an appointment with your doctor immediately.

Blogger: Egypt Assanti
ESD Baroness
{aka} Big Sister Southern Heat  👓