Pamela Taylor

My Red Socks Run for Kidney Health

This October, I'll be walking 60km to raise awareness and support for kidney health, a cause that hits very close to home for me. I'm one of the 2.7 million Australians living with kidney disease.

I'm walking 60km to represent the 60 hours people on dialysis spend hooked up to a machine every month. Every step I take is a step toward ending this by 2050.

I want to share my story because my experience is a powerful reminder of why this is so important. Four years ago, I felt completely fine. I had no symptoms, but a simple blood test showed I'd already lost nearly half of my kidney function. I was incredibly lucky—my disease was caught early. I'm now being monitored and with the right care, I should have enough function to last my lifetime. But many others don't get that chance.

The reality is that 3 in 4 Australians are at risk, and 90% of kidney function can be lost before you notice anything is wrong. Please, don't wait for symptoms. Talk to your doctor about a Kidney Health Check, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

You can also take this quick 2-minute online test to check your risk: https://kidney.org.au/kidneyrisktest

If you're able to, please consider donating to my fundraising page. Every dollar helps support research, awareness, and life-changing programs for Australians affected by kidney disease. Your generosity will make a real difference and help bring us closer to a future where no one has to live with this disease. Thank you so much for your support.