Approximately 72,000 end-stage chronic kidney failure patients live in Turkey, with 69,000 of them sustaining their lives through hemodialysis and 3,000 through peritoneal dialysis treatment. The Turkish Kidney Foundation, aiming to draw attention to this striking reality and the relationship between kidney health and environmental sustainability, will showcase a giant kidney model, 2.5 meters high and weighing 150 kg, made from 1800 PET bottles, to the public at Kadıköy Square on Tuesday, March 10th, World Kidney Day.
The Message “Protect Your Kidneys, Save the Planet” Will Resonate from Kadıköy
World Kidney Day, celebrated globally for 21 years, is being held this year with the theme “Protect Your Kidneys, Save the Planet.” The Turkish Kidney Foundation, as in previous years, will draw attention to the strong relationship between kidney health and the protection of natural resources with a striking awareness event this year as well. At the event taking place in Kadıköy Pier Square, the giant kidney model created by Turkish Kidney Foundation Board Member and Sculptor Ertuğ Atlı using 1800 PET bottles will be exhibited. At the event, which will feature a marching band, citizens will be informed about both kidney health and environmental awareness.
Evaluations on Kidney Health and Sustainability by Experts
At the event, Turkish Kidney Foundation President Timur Erk, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases Pediatric Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Nur Canpolat, Turkish Kidney Foundation Advisory Board Member Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadir Alpay, and Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zelal Adıbelli will provide assessments on many topics ranging from kidney health and water consumption to environmental sustainability. Following Q&A sessions with the public, reusable water bottles will be gifted to participants to encourage healthy water consumption.
Protecting Water Resources is Critical for Health
With this event, the Turkish Kidney Foundation emphasizes the vital message: “Protecting our kidneys actually means protecting our water and natural resources.” In today’s world, where the effects of climate change are increasingly felt and water resources are rapidly depleting, the value of water is increasing day by day. The amount of water used in dialysis treatment, in particular, makes this picture even clearer: At least 200 liters of mains water is used in a single 4-hour session for a patient undergoing hemodialysis. Approximately 2-2.5 million tons of water is used and turns into waste annually during this treatment process across Turkey.
Attention to Plastic Waste
On the other hand, the event will highlight that a person creates an average of 1,800 pieces of plastic waste per year if they meet their daily water needs from single-use PET bottles, reminding everyone of the heavy burden this waste places on nature. The Turkish Kidney Foundation will call for reducing plastic consumption, promoting recycling, and strengthening sustainable environmental awareness by drawing attention to the relationship between kidney health and environmental health.
Event Details:
- Location: Kadıköy Pier Square
- Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM
