On the last Thursday, March 13th, the Monument to Christ the Redeemer received an illumination with blue and red colors, for the World Kidney Day. The initiative, by the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, the Kidney Foundation, physicians and transplant patients, aimed to raise the society’s awareness about the importance of preventing renal diseases, which according to experts, are becoming a silent epidemic.
This year's campaign, whose motto is "The kidney ages along with you", wants to turn everyone's attention to the importance of better monitoring blood pressure and diabetes, diseases that can cause renal impairment, and in order to do annual check-ups covering laboratory tests (Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Creatinine, partial Urinalysis, 24 hours Micro albuminuria).
"Our goal is to raise awareness to the importance of early diagnosis, which makes the most efficient and humane treatment," said nephrologist Cristina Rocha, a member of Rio de Janeiro’s Society of Nephrology and the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
On top of Corcovado, the program included the participation of medical and mezzo soprano Claudia Coutinho, who, accompanied by a violinist, interpreted Gounod’s "Ave Maria", and with the beautiful chorus of transplanted children’s voices, Gonzaguinha’s "O que é, o que é?”. At the end of the meeting, the Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer’s rector, father Omar Raposo, gave a blessing to the campaign and to the sick.
Credits: ArqRio
