World Kidney Cancer Day 2025
This year the theme is ‘Show your kidneys some love’
Kidney health is not only important for physical and mental wellbeing, but poor kidney function also affects quality of life, limits treatment choices and excludes patients from some clinical trials.
A recent survey by the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) showed that many patients and carers are unsure how to keep their kidneys healthy.
For World Kidney Cancer Day 2025, the IKCC has created a simple guide with three essential kidney tests and lifestyle tips for maintaining kidney health (see below). On the day itself, the IKCC hosted a Global Patient & Carer Symposium with experts and patients discussing kidney health for those living with kidney cancer.
Watch the World Kidney Cancer Day Global Patient & Carer Symposium by clicking on the image on the right.
Get Involved on World Kidney Cancer Day 2025
Help us raise awareness of kidney cancer and show support!
Wear green for kidney cancer awareness
Post a photo and tag us on social media (#actionkidneycancer)
Download the WKCD twibbon and click here for instructions on how to add it to your profile picture on social media
Use the following hashtags: #WKCD2025, #actionkidneycancer, #StrongerTogether, #kidneycancer
Share your kidney cancer journey with us for our website: Real stories
1. Monitor blood pressure
Low kidney function raises blood pressure; high blood pressure puts stress on your kidneys. Your doctor can give you medication to control your blood pressure.
2. Check your urine
Too much protein in your urine (proteinuria) can be a sign of reduced kidney function. Your doctor can also test your UACR (Urine Albumin:Creatinine Ratio).
3. Do a blood test
Your doctor can check for creatinine and eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), both signs of how effectively your kidneys are filtering your blood.
There are also lifestyle changes that can make a big difference to kidney health. Here are four of them.
Talk to your doctor about which are the most important for you.
1. Quit smoking
Smoking is harmful to your kidneys, may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness of cancer treatments. It is also a major risk factor for many cancers, high blood pressure and heart disease.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
This reduces your risk of cancers and heart disease. If you need to lose weight – or gain weight, as people with kidney cancer often do – your doctor may be able to help.
3. Be active but avoid contact sports
Being active is beneficial for both physical and mental health. But contact sports – like football or most martial arts – put your kidneys at risk.
4. Drink enough water and no alcohol
It is important to stay hydrated. Drink sufficient water to satisfy normal thirst. When thirsty, choose water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends no alcohol at all.
An interview with Rose Woodward
Our founder, Rose Woodward, has experienced problems with her kidney health 20+ years following a radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer. Listen to her story in an interview with Steve Pointon, by clicking on the image opposite:
Ask the Expert videos
During this series of videos, experts in the treatment and care of kidney cancer patients answer your questions. Below are four Ask the Expert video interviews on the difference between kidney disease and kidney cancer, the benefits of a healthy diet and physical activity after nephrectomy and to protect your remaining kidney. To watch more video interviews with the experts, please visit our Ask the Expert page.
Patient videos – In Our Own Words
In the video opposite, Lynne and Andy talk about how long they have been cancer-free and what changes they have had to make to their lifestyles. They also talk about how they have coped emotionally and physically, and what follow-up they have had after surgery. To watch more videos where actual kidney cancer patients and carers talk frankly about their experiences, emotions and how to live well with a diagnosis of kidney cancer, please click here. To read real stories from people with kidney cancer, please click here.
“I’ve been helped by other people to rebuild my life, and I’ll never forget it.”
Steve, patient from the UK
‘Show your kidneys some love’ with our glass hearts or lapel pins, symbols of kindness, friendship, support and thanks. Suggested donation is £5.00, including postage and packaging: go to JustGiving by clicking here.
Resources and support
The following organisations can help you with information and support for protecting your kidney function and managing chronic kidney disease (click on their logos to take you to their websites):
Action Kidney Cancer is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and abides by the Code of Fundraising Practice, which outlines the standards expected of all charitable fundraising organisations across the UK. The code helps to ensure that the work of fundraising organisations is legal, open, honest and respectful.
