October 26, 2026
Article By: NKF Staff
A kidney disease diagnosis can bring a lot of changes, questions, and uncertainty. Sometimes, it can be difficult to explain what you’re going through to someone who hasn’t experienced it themselves.
That’s where NKF PEERs can help.
Here are five things people say they value about their experience connecting with a peer mentor.
1. Support When Things Feel Uncertain
Kidney disease often comes with difficult decisions and plenty of emotions.
Jennifer wanted an NKF PEERs mentor for support during a particularly challenging time.
“My mentor has been extremely amazing and supportive during this really difficult and uncertain time for me,” she said.
A peer mentor isn’t there to replace a healthcare professional or provide medical advice. But they can listen and offer encouragement based on what they have been through.
2. Learning From Others’ Experiences
Kidney disease is complicated. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s about how the kidneys work, treatment options, or lifestyle changes.
Talking with a peer mentor lets you learn from someone else’s experience.
“My mentor has truly been helpful and inspirational for me in this journey,” Ann said. “She is extremely knowledgeable and shares her knowledge with me. I look forward to every conversation with her as I'm always learning something new.”
3. Getting Practical Advice
There is no single way to navigate kidney disease, but NKF PEER mentors can share what they’ve learned from their own experiences and offer practical advice or recommendations.
“It was awesome to talk to my mentor and get to learn more about her and her experience,” Allison said. “She shared some really helpful insights, advice, and made recommendations. I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with and learning from her.”
These types of conversations help people think about new questions they want to ask their healthcare team.
4. Continuing the Connection
It can be difficult to explain what it’s like to navigate kidney disease to someone who has never experienced it. That’s where peer mentors come in.
For John, that experience was an important part of his connection with his mentor.
“My mentor is exactly what I was looking for. He is engaging, candid, and easy to talk with. Having been through dialysis and now two transplants, he has a tremendous amount of firsthand experience,” he said. “Most importantly, he knows how to relate to where I am right now.”
John looks forward to continuing their connection as he works toward his transplant.
“I am very appreciative of the mentor match and look forward to staying connected as I continue through the transplant process. He is an excellent representative and exactly what I hoped this program would provide.”
5. Feeling Comfortable From the Start
Talking about kidney disease and other personal experiences can feel intimidating, especially with someone you have never met before. Building a comfortable connection can make those conversations easier.
For Deborah, that connection came quickly.
“My mentor is wonderful! I felt like we were old friends on the very first meeting.”
That sense of comfort can create space for honest conversations, questions, and sharing experiences without feeling like someone has to explain every detail of what they are going through.
Don't Navigate This Alone
No two kidney journeys are exactly alike. But talking with someone who has been there can help you feel less alone and gain new perspectives as you navigate kidney disease, dialysis, transplantation, or finding or becoming a living donor.
Get matched with someone who understands.
