Tag: Kidney

  • 50 Years of Transplantation in Hawai‘i

    On Aug. 9, 1969, a surgical team headed by Dr. Livingston Wong performed the first kidney transplant at St. Francis Hospital. Since then, more than 2,300 lives in Hawai‘i have been saved and transformed by organ transplants. To celebrate this remarkable milestone and the man whose vision drove it forward, St. Francis Healthcare System hosted a special event on Aug. 7 at its Liliha Campus.

    Guests from The Queen’s Medical Center, The Queen’s Transplant Center, Legacy of Life Hawai‘i and the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i honored Dr. Wong for his service and vision. The event was also a homecoming for many who had worked with Dr. Wong and those whose lives he had helped to heal and save.

    Following Dr. Wong’s first transplant surgery, St. Francis Medical Center opened its kidney transplant program, which served as Hawai‘i’s only transplant center for 40 years. Through the years, the transplant program expanded to include kidney, liver, pancreas and heart transplantation. In 1978, Dr. Wong headed a team of physicians and technicians who performed the first bonemarrow transplant in Hawai‘i. Dr. Wong later established Hawai‘i’s emergency management system and is credited with raising the level of the statewide system to become one of the best programs in the nation.

    Dr. Wong with members from Surgical Associates Inc: (L–R, 1st row) Livingston M.F. Wong, MD, FASC; Dr. Alan Cheung, MD, FASC; (2nd row) Lyle Wong, director of administration (Livingston’s son); Linda L. Wong, MD (Livingston’s daughter who performed the first liver transplant in Hawai‘i); and Whitney Limm, MD.
    Dr. Wong with members from Surgical Associates Inc: (L–R, 1st row) Livingston M.F. Wong, MD, FASC; Dr. Alan Cheung, MD, FASC; (2nd row) Lyle Wong, director of administration (Livingston’s son); Linda L. Wong, MD (Livingston’s daughter who performed the first liver transplant in Hawai‘i); and Whitney Limm, MD.

    Dr. Alan Cheung, director of the Queen’s Transplant Center, a transplant surgeon and close associate and friend of Dr. Wong, spoke to the more than 250 guests at the event. “Livi recognized the suffering and needs of patients with end-stage renal failure and quickly mastered the vascular access surgeries that were lifelines for these patients,” Dr. Cheung said. “He wanted to serve the needs of the people…”

    Become a donor by registering at Legacy of Life Hawai‘i or at your local DMV.

    LEGACY OF LIFE HAWAI‘I (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    405 N. Kuakini St., Ste. 810, Honolulu, HI 91867
    Nancy Downes: 808-599-7630
    808-585-3442 | outreach@legacyoflifehawaii.org
    www.legacyoflifehawaii.org
    Facebook: @hoalahouhawaii

    On Aug. 9, 1969, a surgical team headed by Dr. Livingston Wong performed the first kidney transplant at St. Francis Hospital. Since then, more than 2,300 lives in Hawai‘i have been saved and transformed by organ transplants. To celebrate this remarkable milestone and the man whose vision drove it forward, St. Francis Healthcare System hosted…

  • NKFH: Create a Kidney-Friendly Kitchen

    Some 26 million Americans suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK), but experts predict this number will rise due to high obesity rates (approximately one-third of all adults) and high blood pressure. Both of these are risk factors for CKD. The aging of baby boomers will also increase this number because age over 60 is also a risk factor for CKD, making kidney disease a very important issue for seniors.

    Most people have no symptoms until CKD is advanced. If you wait until you have symptoms to be tested, you’ve waited too long. Therefore, taking care of overall health should not be postponed. Wise practices for seniors include exercising regularly, a low-salt diet, controlling weight, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, not smoking, drinking moderately, avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and getting an annual physical.

    For spring cleaning, start in the kitchen to take steps toward kidney health. Get ready to clear out some common grocery items that could be wrecking your kidneys. The kidneys work 24/7 to clean out toxins in the body, so keep them healthy by cleaning out your kitchen. Now is the perfect time to trash the following:

    SALT SHAKER. Believe it or not, Americans today consume 50% more than the recommended daily amount of sodium. Diets high in sodium increase blood pressure levels and high blood pressure damages the kidneys over time. It’s 2,300 mg of sodium (or 1 teaspoon of salt) per day that should be the limit.

    RED MEAT. High protein diets, especially those containing large quantities of animal protein, may harm the kidneys. Red meat is also high in saturated fat—another no–no.

    SODA. Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas are high calorie and contain no nutritious value. These beverages are linked to the presence of protein in the urine, one of the earliest signs of kidney disease. Colas also have phosphorus
    additives which can harm the kidneys.

    PROCESSED FOOD. Crackers, potato chips, deli meats, cheese spreads, instant potato mix are all examples of processed foods that are high in sodium and phosphorus additives — both which can have negative effects on the kidneys.

    SUGAR. An overdose of sugar can lead to health problems such as diabetes and obesity. As these are risk factors for kidney disease, eliminating or reducing sugar intake can reduce your kidney risk as well.

    With CKD, there are many dietary considerations and options. On the Internet, search for “kidney friendly recipes” to discover a wealth of helpful information. Start with our own Calabash Cookbook at www.kidneyhi.org/index.php?cid=16. Pay special attention to foods recommended for kidney patients and consult an expert if you are already diagnosed with CKD, because diets are especially critical for different stages of the disease.

     

    National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
    1314 South King St., #304, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96814
    808.589.5976 info@kidneyhi.org www.kidneyhi.org

    Some 26 million Americans suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK), but experts predict this number will rise due to high obesity rates (approximately one-third of all adults) and high blood pressure. Both of these are risk factors for CKD. The aging of baby boomers will also increase this number because age over 60 is also…