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ONE in 10 Australians have clinical evidence of chronic kidney disease, says Bendigo Health's renal services nurse manager Kathleen Fair.
"We offer care and support of those living with chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease in Bendigo and across the Loddon Mallee," Ms Fair said.
"Right now there's 1.7 millions Australians with clinical evidence of chronic kidney disease - the majority of these people have no signs or symptoms of kidney disease.
"Kidney disease is often insidious, it's not showing itself blatantly but rather creeping up on unsuspecting people like you and me going about our daily lives.
"Once it's identified, usually at a GP's office doing routine checks like taking blood pressure and doing routine blood work, the clock starts ticking so every opportunity to slow the disease down is taken."
If progression is slowed the disease can be managed in a GP's office but sometimes options to maintain life, including dialysis and transplant, need to be explored.
Bendigo Health's in-centre haemodialysis unit performs more than 7000 treatments per year.
“Renal Services also care for patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant, have received a kidney transplant, or who have chronic kidney disease, but their kidneys still have some function,” Ms Fair said.
Money from this year's Bendigo Bank Fun Run will go towards purchasing new equipment for Bendigo Health's renal services division's dialysis units.
Bendigo Health chief executive John Mulder launched the 2014 event on Friday afternoon.
Entries opened for the November 2 event at 1pm on Friday with Ms Fair the first registration, putting her hand up for the 15km run.
This year a new start area will see participants begin in front of the visitor information centre in Pall Mall. People can register either as individuals or part of a team with family, friends or work mates. To register, visit www.bendigobankfunrun.com.au.