This post is sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. All opinions are entirely mine. #HeartYourKidneys
Growing up as an African American we were always taught so many things about our health. As a black male, we’ve been told about the percentages about getting heart disease and many other things. Unfortunately, we were never educated about anything pertaining to the kidney. When it comes to vital organs, hearts get all the love. Kidneys don’t get nearly the same love as the heart, the bladder, the colon—those heavy hitters get all the attention. This year, the National Kidney Foundation has teamed with NFL Hall-Of-Famer Jerry Rice to get the word out about kidney health. Jerry Rice delivered a couple of PSAs with one being about kidney stats and the other titled Invincible. With Jerry Rice being the spokesperson, it makes you realize that most of us know more about our favorite football stats than our kidney stats.
In the past, I’ve been guilty of not taking my kidney health seriously. If you follow me, you know that hip hop is my life and a rapper named Freeway is going through issues with his kidneys. Freeway have been getting dialysis because he needs a kidney. About three weeks ago, Freeway finally got the chance to receive his new kidney but seeing his health decline over the years opened my eyes. When your kidneys stop working, you have to resort to dialysis or even a transplant. Now with one of my all-time favorite players talking about kidney health is eye opening. To use a football reference, our kidney score touchdowns for our bodies all day. They are essential to keeping us alive and healthy, and they work 24/7 to remove waste and keep our blood pressure in check.
Let’s give our kidneys some love because they are just as vital to life as our hearts. With National Kidney Day coming up on March 14th, here’s some information you may not know about your kidneys. From now on, let’s heart our kidneys and show them some love. It only takes two simple tests, a urine and a blood test, at your primary care doctor’s office to check for any red flags. Just ask your doctor, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. How are my kidneys? Kidney disease can affect anyone, but a healthy diet, regular checkups and exercise can help you immensely. We have heard that it affects older people, you’re wrong because Freeway is only 40-years-old. This is something that hits home because he’s only a year younger than me.
If you’re familiar with what kidneys do, you know they do a lot to keep us healthy. When it comes to keeping your kidneys health, it’s all about your lifestyle and that’s even if you inherited it. Let’s refuse to accept that kidney health is somehow less important than other pressing health issues. In this world, we all talk about diabetes, heart disease and cancer, but rarely our kidneys so let’s change that notion. Let’s be a voice that doesn’t back down, that won’t accept excuses, and that leads and ignites change. Heart your kidneys and give them the attention they deserve. We all have Facebook, so head to their fundraiser page to give a donation.
