The society does not provide medical services of any kind, as its expertise lies in the areas of support, education, information and patient representation.
Kidney Society services are free for kidney failure families in Northland and Auckland, although membership is encouraged.
The Society works closely with the professionals providing medical care for people with kidney failure but is a strictly independent patient society providing support in the community.
About Kidneys and Kidney Failure
Most people seldom think about their kidneys and many don't really know what they do.
Until something goes wrong.
Healthy kidneys go quietly about the business of cleaning the blood, removing waste products and unwanted water in the urine, and generally keeping people alive and healthy.
Unfortunately, there are many diseases that can lead to permanent kidney damage. Sometimes the damage is permanent. This is very serious, and when kidney function drops to below 15%, dialysis or a kidney transplant will soon be needed in order for the person with kidney failure to live. Suddenly, everything revolves around kidneys, or rather the treatments needed to take their place.
Click here for some really basic information about kidneys and kidney failure.
Click here to see how kidneys work
Click here to see how haemodialysis works, here to see how peritoneal dialysis works, and here to see how a kidney transplant works.
Click here to read what kidneys do and how they fail
For much more information about kidneys, kidney disease, kidney failure, treatments etc. click here
Remember not all information on the internet is entirely correct or applies in New Zealand!
... and here is the latest Kidney Society Magazine
