Empire State Building Goes Orange for World Kidney Day

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Mar 10, 2015, 02:00 ET

NEW YORK, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Empire State Building will shine in orange on March 12, 2015, in celebration of the 10^th anniversary of World Kidney Day.

"We're thrilled to see New York's most iconic building honor World Kidney Day and promote kidney health," said Bruce Skyer, CEO, National Kidney Foundation. "We hope this inspiring symbol encourages Americans to protect their kidneys and prevent damage by educating themselves about kidneys, kidney disease and proactive ways they can reduce their risk."

The Empire State Building will shine orange to celebrate World Kidney Day on Thursday, March 12, 2015. Image rendering courtesy of the Empire State Realty Trust.

Celebrated on the second Thursday in March, the mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

The kidneys are the body's chemical factories, filtering waste and performing vital functions that control things like red blood cell production and blood pressure. But over time, the kidneys can become damaged with little or no physical symptoms to warn you that your kidneys are in trouble.

"Of the 26 million American adults estimated to have kidney disease, most don't know they have it. That's why taking care of your kidneys, especially if you are at risk for kidney disease, is vital," said Joseph Vassalotti, MD, National Kidney Foundation Chief Medical Officer. "Knowing the risk factors and controlling the major ones, such as diabetes and high blood pressure may prevent kidney failure. Regular physical activity and a diet low in fat, sodium and sugar can help reduce risk."

In the United States, more than 73 million adults are at risk for kidney disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure, or being over age 60. NKF recommends a simple ACR urine test and a GFR blood test to assess kidney function in those at risk.

Learn how to reduce personal risk of developing kidney disease by visiting www.kidney.org. Learn more about World Kidney Day by visiting www.worldkidneyday.org.

Top 10 Things Your Kidneys Do:

Filter 200 liters of blood a day, removing two liters of toxins, wastes and water
Regulate the body's hydration and water balance
Regulate blood pressure by controlling fluid levels and making the hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict
Support healthy bones and tissues by producing the active form of Vitamin D
Produce the hormone that stimulates bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells
Keep blood minerals in balance
Keep electrolytes in balance
Regulate blood acid levels
Remove certain drugs from the blood
Eliminate excess water-soluble vitamins

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.

About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., is the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions as the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.empirestatebuilding.com, www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, @EmpireStateBldg, www.instagram.com/empirestatebldg, www.youtube.com/esbnyc or www.pinterest.com/empirestatebldg/.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150306/180060
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150306/180061LOGO

SOURCE National Kidney Foundation