Join the Constituent Council that best suits your needs!

The National Kidney Foundation has four Constituent Councils that serve: patients and families (Patient & Family Council), transplant recipients and people awaiting transplant (transAction Council), living and potential living donors (Living Donor Council), and donor families (National Donor Family Council).

Each constituent group has educational resources including brochures and various other print publications as well as an extensive web site. With your free membership, you will receive a membership card with contact information and a discount at the online NKF Store. You can also lend your voice to legislative and public policy issues affecting the chronic kidney disease, transplant and donor communities by joining our e-advocacy Take Action Network.

The Patient & Family Council (PFC) is devoted to the needs of people affected by all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their families. It provides an avenue for patients to express their concerns and problems so that the NKF can help address them in an effective way. The Council acts as a liaison between the NKF and the kidney community, and as a voice within the NKF on patient issues.

The transAction Council was formed to address the needs of transplant recipients of all types as well as those waiting for a transplant. We exist to serve candidates and recipients from the patient's perspective. Membership in the transAction Council is free and open to all individuals and their families who are awaiting or have received a life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant of any kind, as well as health care professionals, legislators and other interested individuals.

  • Membership in the National Kidney Foundation’s transAction Council also includes a subscription to Transplant Chronicles, an e-newsletter for transplant candidates, living donors and recipients.

The National Donor Family Council (NDFC) was founded by the National Kidney Foundation in 1992 as “The Home for Donor Families”. The NDFC is dedicated to supporting families of those who gave the “Gift of Love, Gift of Life” through organ or tissue donation. It is the largest organized group of donor families in the world.

We welcome donor families, donation and bereavement professionals, friends and caregivers to join the NDFC family. Membership is free.

  • NDFC members receive a free newsletter, For Those Who Give and Grieve, featuring stories about organ and tissue donors and recipients.

The Living Donor Council provides information and support to living donors and potential donors. Living donors and those considering donation can find extensive resources through the website, free publications and online support.

The NKF's Living Donor Council was created in 2010 to:

  • To enhance all aspects of the living donation process, including but not limited to, the decision whether or not to donate, the procedure and post-donation care
  • To provide educational and support resources at all phases of living donation
  • To advocate on behalf of living donors and potential donors
  • To utilize the experiences of living donors in order to educate prospective donors, increase awareness of the needs of living donors and those considering donation, and enhance the living donation process.

Through NKF’s e-advocacy Take Action Network, you can add your voice to important legislation and policies affecting the chronic kidney disease, transplant and donor communities. You will receive regular email alerts, updates and instructions for communicating with lawmakers. It’s quick and easy to make a difference!

Join NKF today!