"We’re your body’s built-in water and waste wizards! Let’s take a deep dive into how we help keep you feeling fresh and fantastic!"
Katie & Kenny the Kidneys
Welcome to Katie & Kenny the Kidneys' world—where every drop of blood gets a
sparkling clean!
Katie and Kenny are the twin superheroes of your body, working together to filter out waste, keep your blood balanced, and make sure you stay healthy and full of energy.
They love a good splash, always busy filtering, sorting, and sending the good stuff back into your body while waving goodbye to what you don’t need.
Cleaning is their superpower, and they can’t wait to show you how they keep your body running smoothly!
Meet Katie and Kenny!
Katie and Kenny are always on duty, working as a super team to keep your body clean and balanced! They’re like tiny, hardworking filters, making sure everything inside you stays just right.
Whether you’re drinking water, munching on snacks, or running around the playground, they sort out what your body needs and flush away the stuff it doesn’t! They help keep your blood clean, make sure you don’t have too much or too little water, and even help balance important minerals that keep you strong.
💧 Did you know? Without your kidneys, waste and extra water would build up like a messy room with no cleanup crew! That’s why Katie and Kenny are so important—they work non-stop to keep your body fresh, healthy, and full of energy.
But sometimes, kidneys like Katie and Kenny need extra help. Some kids are born with kidneys that don’t work properly, while others might get sick over time. When that happens, doctors can step in with special treatments, and sometimes, a kidney transplant is needed. That’s where real-life heroes come in—people just like YOU who help by learning about kidney health, donation, and transplants!
A kidney transplant can be life-changing, helping someone feel strong and active again. Thanks to amazing donors, kids and adults who once felt tired and sick can go back to doing what they love—playing, learning, and having fun!
What Do Kidneys Do?
Katie and Kenny are two bean-shaped cleaning stations, tucked away in your lower back. But don’t let their size fool you—they are powerful little filters, working day and night to clean your blood and keep your body healthy.
They filter all the blood in your body about 50 times a day—that’s like filling up a whole swimming pool with clean water! They remove extra water, salt, and waste, turning them into urine, which then leaves your body. It’s their way of taking out the trash and making sure your body stays fresh and clean!
But Katie and Kenny’s job doesn’t stop there! They are also body balancers:
💧 Water Wizards – Making sure you have just the right amount of water, not too much or too little.
⚡ Mineral Masters – Keeping important minerals like potassium and calcium in check so your muscles and bones stay strong.
❤️ Blood Pressure Bosses – Helping to control your blood pressure so your heart can pump properly.
🩸 Red Blood Cell Helpers – Sending signals to your body when it needs to make more red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Now, imagine if Katie and Kenny weren’t working properly. If kidneys get sick, they can’t clean the blood as well, meaning waste and extra water start to build up, making it hard for someone to stay healthy. That’s when a hero can step in—someone who donates a healthy kidney to help another person get back to feeling strong and full of energy!
A kidney transplant can be life-changing, helping kids and grown-ups get back to playing, learning, and having fun—all thanks to real-life heroes who share the gift of health and happiness!
What is Kidney Dialysis?
Katie & Kenny’s Backup Plan!
Katie and Kenny the Kidneys work super hard to clean your blood, balance fluids, and get rid of waste—but sometimes, they need extra help. That’s where kidney dialysis comes in! 🏥💧✨
💡 Why Do People Need Dialysis?
When Katie and Kenny aren’t working properly, waste and extra water start to build up in the body, which can make someone feel really tired, sick, or swollen. Dialysis acts like a helpful machine that does the kidney’s job, cleaning the blood so the body stays healthy and strong!
🌀 How Does Dialysis Work?
There are two main types of dialysis, and both help clean the blood when the kidneys can’t:
1️⃣ Haemodialysis – The Blood Cleaner! 🩸
A special machine removes blood from the body, cleans it just like a kidney would, and then returns it fresh and clean. This usually happens a few times a week at a hospital or a dialysis centre.
2️⃣ Peritoneal Dialysis – The Tummy Helper! 🫧
Instead of using a machine, this type of dialysis happens inside the belly! A special fluid is placed in the tummy, where it absorbs waste and extra water, then gets drained away—helping keep the body clean.
💪 Living Life on Dialysis!
Even though dialysis means spending some time connected to a machine, kids can still go to school, play, and do all the things they love! It helps keep them strong, full of energy, and ready for their next adventure!
💜 The Ultimate Goal – A New Kidney!
Dialysis is like a backup plan while doctors look for a matching kidney for a transplant. When a new kidney is found, Katie and Kenny can get back to doing their job all on their own!
Thanks to amazing doctors, dialysis machines, and kidney transplants, kids who need a little extra help can keep living, playing, and enjoying life to the fullest! 🎉💖
Superpower of Donation
When someone donates a kidney, they give another person the chance to live a healthy, happy, and active life again! And here’s the amazing part—you only need one kidney to live a perfectly normal life, which means some superheroes donate while they’re still alive!
💧 How does it work? Doctors carefully place a donated kidney into the recipient’s body, giving them a fresh new filter to help clean their blood and balance their body. It’s like getting a brand-new water filter, making sure everything runs smoothly again!
With their new kidney, kids and grown-ups can go back to playing, laughing, and doing all the things they love without feeling tired or sick. They can run on the playground, swim in the pool, and enjoy their favourite foods without worrying about how their body will handle it.
And the best part? A kidney transplant isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about getting back to life! Kids can return to school, play with their friends, and dream big again. Adults can go back to work, travel, and enjoy time with family without feeling exhausted all the time.
Thanks to kind and generous heroes, a kidney transplant gives someone a fresh start, a healthier future, and a world full of new possibilities! 💙💧
Live Kidney Donation – A Superhero Gift!
Did you know that some heroes don’t have to wait until they’re gone to save a life? That’s right! Unlike other organs, a person can donate one of their kidneys while they are still alive—and still live a healthy, normal life with just one!
Katie and Kenny the Kidneys work as a team, but the amazing thing is, your body only needs one to do the job. That’s why some incredible people choose to donate one of their kidneys while they’re alive, giving someone else the ultimate gift of health, energy, and happiness!
How Does It Work?
When someone’s kidneys stop working properly, they might need a kidney transplant to survive. If a living donor (like a family member, friend, or even a kind stranger) chooses to donate one of their kidneys, doctors carefully place the donated kidney into the recipient’s body, giving them a fresh new way to filter their blood and feel strong again!
💧 It’s like giving someone a brand-new, top-of-the-line water filter! Instead of feeling sick and tired all the time, they can go back to playing, learning, laughing, and enjoying life—all because of a generous hero who shared the gift of life.
Living Kidney Donation:
A Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Because you only need one kidney to live a happy and healthy life, more people are choosing to become living donors to help their loved ones—or even a total stranger! It’s a gift that can change someone’s life forever.
💙 Want to learn more about living kidney donation? Check out these amazing programs that help match donors and recipients to give more people the chance to live a healthy, full life!
Find Out More About Living Kidney Donation!
🌟 Want to learn how donors and patients are matched?
Read about the Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange Program!
💖 Wondering how living kidney donors are supported?
Check out the Supporting Living Organ Donors Program!
Life After Transplant
With a new kidney, transplant recipients can go back to living life to the fullest—playing their favourite games, going to school, and spending time with family and friends without feeling sick or tired all the time! A healthy kidney means more energy, strength, and a fresh start for all the fun adventures ahead!
For kids, this means getting back to school, joining in recess games, and focusing on learning without worrying about feeling unwell. They can run, jump, and play sports without getting exhausted, and simple things like drinking water or eating their favourite foods become easy again! No more sitting on the sidelines—they can be part of the action!
For older kids and adults, a kidney transplant means getting back to work, enjoying hobbies, and travelling without constant doctor visits. They can do everyday things like taking long walks, going shopping, or even dancing at celebrations—all without feeling weighed down by sickness.
A kidney transplant isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about getting back to life! Thanks to an amazing donor, kids and grown-ups can enjoy every moment, chase their dreams, and live with freedom again! 💙💧
How Can You Be a Hero?
Even though you may be too young to be a donor now, you can still be a hero in so many ways!
💙 Learn & Share: Superheroes spread knowledge! Learning about how kidney donation helps people live longer, healthier lives is a great way to start. But don’t stop there—share what you’ve learned with your family and friends! The more people who know about Katie and Kenny, the more heroes we have!
💧 Take Care of Your Own Kidneys: Want to keep Katie and Kenny happy? Drink plenty of water, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and avoid too many salty or sugary snacks. Staying active also helps them keep your blood clean and balanced!
💬 Start a Conversation: Talking about organ donation might seem like a big topic, but it’s an amazing way to help others! Ask your family what they think about it and share what you’ve learned about how a donated kidney can give someone a second chance at life.
🚰 Remember Katie & Kenny! Next time you take a big sip of water or hear a flush, think about all the hard work your kidneys do! They never stop filtering, cleaning, and balancing to keep your body running smoothly. Every drop of clean blood is thanks to them!
Even the smallest heroes can make a big impact—just by learning, sharing, and taking care of their own kidneys. One day, you might help save someone’s life, just by being the amazing hero you already are! 💙💧✨
More About Kidneys:
Functions and Common Disorders
Functions of the Kidneys
The Super Cleaners Filtering Out the Yucky Stuff!
Katie and Kenny the Kidneys are like tiny cleaning machines! They remove all the yucky stuff and extra water from your blood, turning it into pee to keep your body clean and healthy.
The Water Balancers
Keeping Just the Right Amount!
Katie and Kenny are super smart at keeping the right amount of water in your body. They make sure you don’t have too much or too little, keeping everything balanced just right.
The Pressure Protectors
Helping Your Heart Stay Strong!
Katie and Kenny are heart helpers! They work hard to make sure your blood pressure stays steady, so your heart stays happy and healthy.
The Blood Cell Bosses
Sending Energy Boosting Messages!
Katie and Kenny send special messages to your body when it’s time to make more red blood cells, which give you energy and help you feel strong!
Common Kidney Disorders
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
When Katie & Kenny Get Tired!
Sometimes, Katie and Kenny the Kidneys get tired and can't clean your blood or do their jobs as well as they should. This is called CKD. It can make you feel tired or unwell, but eating healthy, drinking water, and visiting the doctor can help keep your kidneys happy and strong!
Kidney Stones
The Tiny Trouble Rocks!
Kidney stones are tiny, hard rocks that can form inside Katie and Kenny if there isn’t enough water to flush things out. They can cause pain when passing through, but drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods can help prevent these little troublemakers!
Kidney Failure
When Katie & Kenny Need Extra Help!
Kidney failure happens when Katie and Kenny stop working completely and can’t clean your blood or keep your body balanced. When this happens, people need extra help, like a special machine called dialysis or a new kidney from a kind donor, to stay healthy.
Kidney Infections
The Germ Invasion!
Kidney infections happen when pesky germs sneak into Katie and Kenny, making them feel sick. This can cause pain and fever, but drinking water, washing your hands, and seeing a doctor can help keep those germs away and your kidneys happy!
High Blood Pressure
The Heavy Workload for Katie & Kenny!
High blood pressure makes Katie and Kenny work too hard, which can tire them out over time. Eating less salty food, staying active, and visiting the doctor can help keep your blood pressure—and your kidneys—happy and healthy!
Urinary Tract Blockage
The Pee Traffic Jam!
A urinary tract blockage happens when something blocks the flow of pee, making it hard for Katie and Kenny to do their job. This can cause discomfort, but a doctor can help fix the problem and get things flowing smoothly again!
Alport Syndrome
The Worn-Out Kidney Filters!
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
The Bubble Trouble!
Nephrotic Syndrome The Leaky Kidney Problem!
Some kids are born with weak kidney filters that slowly wear out over time. As Katie and Kenny get more tired, they might stop working, and a new kidney could be the best way to help!
Sometimes, fluid-filled bubbles (cysts) start growing inside Katie and Kenny, making them bigger and stopping them from working properly. If the cysts take over, a new kidney might be needed!
Sometimes, Katie and Kenny's tiny filters get damaged and start leaking too much protein into the pee. This can make the body swell up and cause other problems, and if it gets too bad, a new kidney might be needed!
Congenital Kidney Disorders
When Katie & Kenny Are Born Different!
Lupus Nephritis
When the Body Attacks the Kidneys!
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
When Germs Attack the Kidneys
Some kids are born with kidneys that don’t grow or work the way they should. If they can’t do their job, a new kidney might be needed to help the body stay healthy!
Sometimes, the immune system gets confused and attacks Katie and Kenny instead of protecting them. If this keeps happening, they might need a new kidney to take over!
Sometimes, certain germs can cause big problems for Katie and Kenny, making them swell up and stop cleaning the blood properly. If they don’t recover, a kidney transplant might be needed!
Katie and Kenny’s job is to keep your body fresh and clean! They’re like two tiny water filters, working all day to wash away waste, balance fluids, and keep everything running smoothly—so you can stay energised, hydrated, and ready for fun! 🚰💦🏃♂️
Remember, taking care of Katie and Kenny means drinking lots of water, eating kidney-friendly foods like berries and veggies, and staying active. When you do, they can do their best work—keeping your blood clean, your energy high, and your adventures flowing! 💜💧✨
Learn More About Your Kidneys!
Are you ready to dive deeper into the magic of kidneys? Click on the logos below to explore more and become a kidney health hero today!
Kidney Health Australia is dedicated to keeping kidneys strong! They provide resources, education, and support for kids and families, helping everyone learn how to take care of their kidneys.
Kidney, Transplant & Diabetes Research Australia is committed to improving the lives of people with kidney disease, diabetes, and those needing transplants. They fund important medical research to find better treatments and cures, helping people live healthier, longer lives
The Renal Society of Australasia supports healthcare professionals who care for people with kidney disease. They provide education, research, and training to improve kidney health and treatment across Australia and New Zealand
The Kidney Support Network is dedicated to helping people living with kidney disease by providing support, advocacy, and access to essential services. They assist individuals and families on their kidney health journey, making sure no one faces it alone.
The Kidney Research Foundation focuses on funding groundbreaking research to find new ways to prevent, treat, and cure kidney disease. Their work helps improve care and outcomes for people living with kidney conditions.
Transplant Australia is all about celebrating second chances! They support kidney transplant recipients and even organise the Transplant Games, where transplant recipients show how strong they are
Thinking about being a hero? DonateLife helps teach kids and families about the power of organ donation, showing how one donated kidney can change a life forever
