On March 10, the Unites States celebrated World Kidney Day in style, turning the country orange.  From East to West, buildings glowed in the National Kidney Foundation’s signature orange color, and kidney screenings and education sessions took place at businesses, hospitals, and city halls. 

In New York, the Empire State Building reminded the world that there’s a growing public health crisis in our midst by shining in orange.

In Boston, the Zakim Bridge and media board along I-90 turned orange.  Other cities, including Sioux Falls, SD; Charlotte, NC; Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, WI; Denver, CO; and Pittsburgh, PA also showed their solidarity by lighting their buildings and bridges a bright orange hue.

The city of Boston held a KEEP Healthy screening at Boston City Hall, and the New England Revolution Home Opener welcomed the NKF mascot Sidney the Kidney on the field, accompanied by a living donor.

In Cincinnati, NKF and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital hosted a pediatric kidney disease awareness breakfast with several policymakers, including Sen. Portman, Rep. Chabot, Lt. Governor Taylor, State Sen. Thomas, State Rep. Driehaus, and Mayor Cranley. Guests were educated about kidney disease and were given a tour of the Children’s Dialysis Clinic, the transplant center, and the new state-of-the-art Nephrology Clinical Laboratory/Research Suite – one of the top in the world. Both organizations showcased their efforts to lessen the impact of this disease on patients.

The Governor of Texas and the Mayor of Austin signed proclamations celebrating World Kidney Day and announcing a campaign to educate Texans on steps to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney disease.  Washington, DC and Pittsburg, PA, as well as the state legislatures in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee issued proclamations for World Kidney Day.

In Washington, D.C., NKF and four other kidney patient organizations stormed Capitol Hill and the offices of 180 U.S. Representatives and Senators to discuss important strategies for better kidney care in the U.S. In addition, more than 4,000 people took action at home and supported the same priorities by emailing their Representatives and Senators.

Around the country, NKF offices and other businesses wore orange to commemorate the day.

How did you celebrate World Kidney Day? Let us know in the comments section below.