Milan, May 5, 2026 – The ‘Cl3ar: clear objectives for the health of your kidneys’ traveling campaign, a significant initiative by Sobi Italia, officially launched today from Milan. Supported by Progetto Ddd ets, FIR, SINEPE, and SIP, the campaign seeks to elevate public awareness regarding kidney health, an area often underestimated despite its crucial role in overall well-being. The focus is particularly on chronic kidney diseases, especially rare forms such as C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (Ic-Mpgn).
The Silent Threat of Rare Kidney Diseases
These rare kidney conditions are notoriously insidious due to their often invisible and silent progression in early stages. Their low prevalence and diverse triggers make accurate identification a complex challenge. Statistics reveal a concerning reality: 44% of individuals with a rare kidney disease endure a diagnostic odyssey exceeding one year. This delay frequently leads to patients silently advancing towards kidney failure, missing critical opportunities for early intervention.
Dr. Domenico Santoro, Director of the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit at the University of Messina, emphasized the clinical complexity: “Rare kidney diseases such as C3G and primary Ic-Mpgn present a complex clinical challenge, from the difficulty of early recognition to the management of often fragmented treatment pathways. Early diagnosis is a crucial step: being able to recognize certain signs in urine and blood tests and directing the patient to referral centers for further diagnostic testing can make the difference in slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life.”
Interactive Education and Expert Engagement
The ‘Cl3ar’ campaign is designed to empower citizens with a better understanding of kidney function, chronic and rare kidney diseases, and the paramount importance of early diagnosis. This will be achieved through engaging interactive installations, informative educational materials, and invaluable opportunities for direct discussion with experts at the gazebos hosting the initiative. Following its inaugural stage in Milan, the campaign is scheduled to continue its tour across Italy, with stops planned in Bari, Turin, Bologna, Palermo, and Rome.
Prognosis and Societal Impact
Rare chronic kidney diseases, including C3G and primary Ic-Mpgn, carry a generally poor prognosis. Approximately 50% of adult patients and around 20% of pediatric patients progress to kidney failure within a decade of diagnosis. Pediatric patients face additional hurdles, including challenges with school and social integration, and the significant psychological toll of the disease.
Antonio Mastrangelo, from the glomerular disease outpatient clinic – rare diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, highlighted the impact on younger patients: “In children and adolescents, chronic kidney disease, particularly rare ones, can interfere with physical and psychological development, requiring constant monitoring and a personalized therapeutic approach. The impact on family life is significant, as the complexity of the care pathway directly affects caregivers. There remain unmet needs in terms of continuity of care and the transition to adulthood, making multidisciplinary and coordinated care essential.”
Challenges for Patients and Families
Fabrizio Spoleti, President of Progetto Ddd Ets, shed light on the arduous journey faced by patients and their families: “For people living with rare kidney diseases like C3G, the diagnosis and management process is often long and complex, with a profound impact on patients’ health and daily lives. Frequent check-ups and the need to visit specialized referral centers place a significant organizational, financial, and emotional burden on families and caregivers.” He further added, “The psychological and social aspects of the disease remain one of the greatest challenges: the feeling of isolation, the difficulty balancing school or work with treatment, and the lack of stable points of reference weigh heavily on quality of life. In this context, awareness initiatives like Cl3ar are of great help: they contribute to raising awareness of these ultra-rare diseases in adults and pediatrics and give voice to a community that demands listening, support, and concrete answers.”
Progress in Clinical Research and Corporate Responsibility
Carina Fiocchi, Medical Director of Sobi Italy, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus, underscored the advancements in clinical research and the corporate commitment to addressing these conditions: “Clinical research into rare kidney diseases has made significant progress over the past decade. Responsible corporate engagement in addressing these conditions means making a concrete contribution to reducing their burden, both for patients and healthcare systems. Responsible innovation requires active listening and ongoing collaboration with the scientific and patient communities, transforming science into a real and sustainable benefit that addresses concrete needs and can improve the prospects of those living with these diseases today. Cl3ar was born from this vision to promote knowledge and greater awareness among those currently facing a diagnosis or living with a rare kidney disease.”
The ‘Cl3ar’ campaign represents a crucial step in fostering greater understanding and support for individuals affected by rare kidney diseases, aiming to improve early diagnosis and quality of life for patients across Italy.
Source: https://lamilano.it/en/by-the-media/The-cl3ar-campaign-for-kidney-health-starts-in-Milan./
