The kidney heath red socks run is back

Pull on your Red Socks and run, walk, or ride 60km this October in support of the 1.7 million Australians affected by kidney disease.

Kidney Health Australia is putting out the challenge to Australians to run like a life depends on it.

The Red Socks Run starts on Saturday, October 1 and Kidney Health Australia is encouraging people to sign up for the free virtual challenge to run, walk or ride 60km over the month of October to combat kidney disease.

Participants can do the Red Socks Run at their own time and place and sign up as an individual or as part of a team. They’ll be supporting the life of someone living with this debilitating and deadly disease.

Kidney Health Australia Chief Executive Officer, Chris Forbes, said the Red Socks Run 60km challenge was inspired by people living with kidney failure who require life-saving dialysis.

“There are more than 27,000 Australians living with kidney failure and over half of those need dialysis treatment to survive,” Mr Forbes explained.

“On average they spend 60 hours per month strapped to a machine to clean their blood.

“Their body gets extremely cold during treatment, especially their feet, so many wear socks. This is why we are asking people to don our special Red Socks in honour of these brave people and get involved in the Red Socks Run.”

Kidney Health Australia is determined to prevent more people reaching kidney failure and enduring a lifetime on dialysis. With 1.5 million Australians unaware they have the early signs of the disease, the Red Socks Run also aims to raise vital awareness.

“The shocking fact about kidney disease is that a person can lose up to 90 per cent of kidney function before any symptoms are apparent,” Mr Forbes said.

“A person could be relatively fine one day and the next they could be in hospital facing a life sentence of
continuous dialysis or on a transplant list, waiting for a suitable kidney donor.”

On average, 63 Australians will die every day from kidney-related disease and sadly, there is no cure for it.

The Red Socks Run helps to fund life-changing treatments and vital support services for those living with the disease.

“You can run, walk or ride 60km over the month of October or choose your own goal. No matter how far you walk, run or ride, every kilometre will help someone whose life has been turned upside down by a kidney disease diagnosis.”

Turn your good health into the support that can save a life by signing up to the Red Sock Socks Run and buying a pair of limited-edition Red Socks to wear proudly throughout October.

To find out more and sign up for the Kidney Health Red Socks Run, visit redsocksrun.org.au