Step up for kidney health

Two of Australia’s favourite showbiz personalities, comedian Stephen Curry and actor Michala Banas, have united to raise awareness for kidney health disease – and their crusade is deeply personal. Michala and Stephen have developed a series of light-hearted but important video messages promoting kidney health to encourage Aussies to put on their red socks and sign up for the Red Sock Run this October to combat kidney disease.

Michala almost lost her life when she was six years old with a serious illness that required surgery to remove most of her left kidney in a life-saving operation. She was born with a duplicated ureter (the tube from the kidney to the bladder) that wasn’t discovered until her body had almost been fatally poisoned. “The doctors couldn’t work out what was wrong with me, but my parents sought a second opinion, and it turned out a scan revealed my kidney condition. I was rushed into emergency surgery straight away,” Michala explained. “But I am one of the lucky ones, and I am so grateful for it. I am hyper-vigilant about my body now and my kidney.

Kidney disease is a silent killer. A person can lose up to 90 per cent of kidney function before any symptoms are apparent. It is so important to ask your GP for an annual kidney health check because you never know.” Stephen Curry’s great friend, Lesley, suffers from kidney failure. Diagnosed with Goodpasture Syndrome at 29, the mother of one now has end stage renal disease with one per cent kidney function. She is strapped to a dialysis machine three days a week to keep her alive while she awaits a transplant – and she has been waiting for 11 years. Stephen is determined to share her story to raise awareness and encourage people to be part of the Red Socks Run, to support people like Lesley living with kidney disease. “Raising awareness for kidney disease is so close to my heart, as Lesley is like family,” Stephen said. Michala and Stephen came up with the idea of developing a series of videos to raise awareness about kidney disease and inspire Australians to run, walk or ride like a life depends on it. The Red Socks Run begins on October 1 and you can sign up now for the free challenge to run, walk or ride 60km over the month of October to combat kidney disease.

Participants can do the Red Socks Run in their own time and at their own pace. Sign up as an individual or as part of a team. They’ll be supporting the life of someone living with this debilitating and deadly disease. Kidney Health Australia is determined to prevent more people reaching kidney failure and enduring a lifetime on dialysis. With 1.5 million Australians unaware they have the early signs of the disease, the Red Socks Run also aims to raise vital awareness.

On average, 63 people in Australia will die every day with kidney-related disease, and there is no cure for it.

The Red Socks Run helps to fund life-changing treatments and vital support services for those living with the disease. To find out more and sign up for the Kidney Health Red Socks Run, visit redsocksrun.org.au.

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