Remembering Tina Turner

Today, the European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA), the Dutch Kidney Foundation (DKF), the European Kidney Patients’ Federation (EKPF), the European Renal Association (ERA), the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) pause to reflect on the life and passing of Tina Turner. An unrivalled artist and gifted musician with a legendary career, Tina leaves an inspiring legacy that is not only musical, but medical, as well. Indeed, Tina suffered from kidney disease for many years and received a kidney transplant in 2017.

Forced to navigate the complex realities of kidney disease, Tina Turner’s courageous, selfless decision to share her personal experience of living with a Chronic Kidney Disease provided countless other kidney disease patients with strength and insights that helped them to similarly live with their conditions. In highlighting to many the need to “Show your kidneys love”, Tina played a crucial and invaluable role in raising awareness about the impact of kidney disease on patients’ everyday lives, and about the need to recognize the warning signs of kidney conditions early to ensure timely treatment and better patient outcomes.

All those at EKHA are grateful to Tina Turner for her important role as a member of the kidney disease community, and our thoughts are with Tina’s loved ones during this sad and difficult time.

Prof. Em. Raymond Vanholder, President, EKHA

Mr Tom Oostrom, Director, DKF

Dr Ilaria de Barbieri, President and Scientific Board Chair, EDTNA/ERCA

Mr Daniel Gallego, President, EKPF

Prof. Christoph Wanner, President, ERA

Prof. Masaomi Nangaku, President, ISN