NKF Serving the Carolinas

Proudly serving North Carolina and South Carolina!

We are revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Columbia Fireflies x NKF Night - Friday, April 24th at 7:05 pm ET

⚾🌻 Baseball season is back! The Columbia Fireflies Baseball is hosting a National Kidney Foundation Night at Segra Park on Friday, April 24th at 7:05 pm ET! We will have a kidney patient throw the first pitch and with every ticket purchased, $4 goes straight back to NKF Carolinas. 💫 

Location: Segra Park - 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Email Nicole.Conti@kidney.org

Renal Roundtable: Emerging Concepts in IgA Nephropathy with Dr. Kerry Cooper

Thursday, April 21st at Sitti in Raleigh, NC

Join us on Tuesday, April 21st for a complimentary dinner and lecture to learn more about the Emerging Concepts in IgA Nephropathy: Focus on B Cells and Key Cytokine Drivers BAFF & APRIL with Dr. Kerry Cooper at Sitti Restaurant in Raleigh, NC.

 He will review and discuss:

  1. Bridging Gaps: IgA Nephropathy Overview and Unmet Needs
  2.  Unraveling Complexity: The Pathophysiology of IgA
    Nephropathy
  3. Key Cytokines: Role of BAFF and APRIL in Driving B-Cell
    Activation
  4.  Decoding: Key Biomarkers in IgA Nephropathy
  5. Therapeutic Goals: Implications of Emerging Guidelines

    Target Audience: Nephrologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Fellows, Residents, and
    Clinical Pharmacists

    Led by Kerry Cooper, MD
    SVP, Medical Affairs at Vera Therapeutics

    Location: Sitti Restaurant - 137 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

    Questions? Email Lilian.Jarvinen@kidney.org

Chronic Kidney Disease & Treatment Options Webinar

Monday, April 20th from 5:30pm-6:30pm ET

Join us to learn more about treatment options for Chronic Kidney Disease including transplantation, the different types of dialysis, and the choice to receive active medical care without dialysis.

Questions? Email Lilian.Jarvinen@kidney.org 

Renal Roundtable: OZEMPIC at the Intersection of T2D, CKD, AND CVD

Thursday, April 23rd at Edmunds Original in Charleston, SC

Join us on Thursday, April 23rd at Edmunds Original in Charleston, SC to learn more about the increased CV risk for patients with T2D with or without CKD. Dr. Greenwood will discuss and consider guideline recommendations for cardiorenal risk management across disciplines in patients with T2D with or without CKD.

We will explore key OZEMPIC clinical trials:

  • A kidney outcomes trial
  • A cardiovascular outcomes trial
  • Discuss the dosing and administration instructions for OZEMPIC

Led by Dr. Gregory "Todd" Greenwood, MD 

Chief Financial Officer, Nephrology Associates, PLCC Section Head Nephrology, Forsyth Medical Center President, Brookview Hills Research Associates, LLC Winston-Salem

Location: Edmund's Original - 1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403 - Free Accessible Parking Available

Questions? Email Melissa.Rubio@kidney.org

Coping with Chronic Kidney Disease Webinar

Tuesday, May 19th from 12:00pm-1:00pm ET

Learn more about how to emotionally manage Chronic Kidney Disease. You'll hear about the stages of grief, tools you can use to help you feel better, and when it might be best to ask for help.

Questions? Email Lilian.Jarivnen@kidney.org

 

Renal Roundtable: The Evolving FSGS Landscape: Clinical Management and Emerging Clinical Trial Insights

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Maggiano's Little Italy in Durham, NC at 6:00 pm ET

Join us on Thursday, May 21st at Maggiano's Little Italy in Durham, NC to learn more about Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a complex and heterogeneous glomerular disease with evolving diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Advances in classification, emerging therapies, and clinical trial design are reshaping management.

 In this Renal Roundtable, Dr. Jason Kidd will review the clinical spectrum of FSGS, current standards of care, emerging therapies, and evolving trial endpoints.

Objectives:
· Describe the clinical and histologic spectrum of FSGS, including primary, secondary, and genetic forms
· Review current standards of care and emerging therapeutic strategies
· Discuss evolving clinical trial design and endpoints in FSGS, including proteinuria reduction and initiatives such as PARASOL

Target Audience: Entire Nephrology Care Team

Led by Jason Kidd, MD
Professor of Medicine at VCU Health

Location: Maggiano's Little Italy - 8030 Renaissance Pkwy #890, Durham, NC 27713 - Free Accessible Parking Available

Questions? Email Melissa.Rubio@kidney.org

Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease Overview Webinar

Wednesday, June 24th from 12:00pm-1:00pm ET

Join us to learn about the importance of nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) including the relationship of good nutrition and CKD or end-stage renal disease, how diets may change if CKD moves into later stages, and why monitoring certain food and mineral intake is important after diagnosis.

Renal Roundtable: Achieving and Sustaining Remission in Severe ANCA-Vasculitis: GPA and MPA

Thursday, September 10th from 5:30pm-8:30pm
Cola's Restaurant
1215 Assembly St.
Columbia, SC 29201
 
Networking:  5:30 pm
Program and Dinner: 6:30 pm

Specific topics include:

  • Heterogeneous and multi-systemic presentation of severe GPA and MPA
  • Pathophysiologic pathways that can serve as targets for
    therapeutic intervention
  • Results from the pivotal ADVOCATE study
  • Identification of appropriate patients for TAVNEOS
 
Audience: Nephrologists, Rheumatologists, NP'S and PA's
 
This program and dinner are complimentary, but registration is required.
 
Presented By:

Mrinalini (Molly) Sarkar, MD
Assistant Professor of Nephrology, University of California in Los Angeles and Santa Monica; Medical Director of the Vasculitis and Onco-nephrology Program, UC Santa Monica.

2026 Charleston Kidney Walk

Saturday, November 14, 2026 at James Island County Park

Save the day for the 2026 Charleston Kidney Walk on Saturday, November 14th at James Island County Park at 9:00 AM ET!

 It was an incredible day celebrating our kidney community and raising awareness for kidney disease. Although the event has wrapped up, fundraising is still open — you can continue to make an impact by donating and supporting those affected by kidney disease. Every dollar helps us move closer to a future without kidney disease!

Questions? Email Nicole.Conti@kidney.org or call 803.799.3870 x634

2026 Charlotte Kidney Walk - SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Mint Museum Randolph

Save the date and join us on Saturday, October 17th at the Mint Museum Randolph in Charlotte, NC at 9:00am ET!

Join us for our annual Kidney Walks to help raise awareness and funds to fight kidney disease. Your participation and support make a difference in the lives of millions affected by kidney disease. Mark your calendars and register today!

Location: The Mint Museum Randolph - 2730 Randolph Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207

Questions? Email Nicole.Conti@kidney.org or call 803.799.3870 x634
 

The NKF Signature Programs

Transplant Education Programs

Whether you need a kidney or are considering donation, let us help you start the conversation. These free programs are available in-person and virtually in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Scheduled events are in the Upcoming Events section.

Questions? Contact Us!

Becoming a Living Donor

Potential living donors and their families will learn about what to expect during the evaluation process, surgery, financial considerations, and hear previous living donors share their stories.

First Steps to Transplant

Patients and families will learn about how to connect with a transplant center, the different types of transplants, what to expect during the evaluation process, and hear personal stories from kidney patients who have received a transplant.

Finding a Living Donor

Patients and families will receive education, tools and tips to help them write and share their story to find a living kidney donor. You'll also hear kidney patients who received a living donor transplant and living donors share their stories.

After Transplant

Patients and families will learn about what to expect after transplant and how to live well with a new kidney. Topics include information about medications, caring for your physical and emotional health, nutrition and when to reach out to your transplant team for help. You'll also hear transplant recipients share their stories.

NKF Volunteering Opportunities

Are you interested in volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas? Check out to learn more about how you can participate and support our cause! This is a great chance to volunteer at our 2025 Charleston or Charlotte Kidney Walk!

 

Questions? Email Melissa.Rubio@kidney.org

Community Outreach

Your Kidneys and You Program

  • Want to host an event in person or online about kidney health to your church or organization for wellness week? We can help! NKF Carolinas team can present a Your Kidneys and You Program and partner with one of our local nephrologists to explain the basics of kidney health and kidney disease!
  • NC Contact: melissa.rubio@kidney.org
  • SC Contact: lilian.jarvinen@kidney.org
  • This Program is available in North and South Carolina

Drive for Dialysis

When: Anytime!

Looking for a great employee volunteer opportunity? Join our NKF Drive for Dialysis program, which allows companies the opportunity to have their employees volunteer by helping pack care packages for dialysis patients in their local communities. These bags include items like blankets, water bottles, other small gifts to help make the recipient's time on dialysis a little easier. If you or your organization is interested in learning about how you can start a D4D at YOUR work place! To learn more, contact Melissa Rubio at Melissa.Rubio@kidney.org or call 212.889.2210 ext 626

Local Support

North Carolina

Charlotte Kidney Disease Support Group

  • All meetings will be virtual
  • Second Tuesday of each Month
  • From 6:30pm-7:30pm ET
  • For more information, email Jackie Palmer, Ed. D, MSN, RN or call 704-446-8796

TransplantTalk SC

An organ support group in South Carolina that provides human and financial support services to pre-transplant and organ recipient patients.

Meets via Zoom the last Tuesday of each month: Zoom Link

Program info in Facebook group

For more information, contact: Gary Simmons at 704-699-3046 or TransplantTalkSC@gmail.com

South Carolina

South Carolina Transplant Foundation

The South Carolina Transplant Foundation (SCTF) is a newly formed 501(c)(3) charity that seeks to assist transplant patients undergoing transplantation financially at the time of transplant and will also provide other services like education, advocacy, and other forms of assistance in the future. The SCTF collaborates with NKF Serving the Carolinas to utilize their trusted sources of education and advocacy to promote their mission in South Carolina.

Additional Support

NKF Peers

  • NKF PEERS is a peer mentoring program where kidney patients are connected via phone with trained mentors who have been there themselves. Peer mentors can share their experiences with dialysis, transplant, or living kidney donation with you.  
  • Email nkfpeers@kidney.org
  • Call 855.NKF.PEERS (855.653.7337)
  • We speak English and Spanish
  • Available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm ET 

 

NKF Cares

  • Our Patient Information Help Line, NKF Cares, offers support for people affected by kidney disease, organ donation, or transplantation. It's designed just for patients, family members, and care partners. Speak with a trained specialist who will answer your questions and listen to your concerns.
  • Email nkfcares@kidney.org
  • Call 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273)
  • We speak English and Spanish
  • Available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm ET 

NKF Kidney Learning Center

The NKF Kidney Learning Center is designed for patients to better understand and care for kidney disease. Here you will find educational activities on an array of carefully selected topics by well-known health experts on the subject. These courses include self-paced videos that can be watched on your own time.

Kidney Pathways

Take control of your kidney health. Answer a few questions and we will provide you with information about your kidney health.

A to Z Health Guide

Alphabetical list of additional kidney topics and support.

Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Are you looking for new kidney-friendly recipes? Regardless of which CKD stage you are in, there is a recipe for you to enjoy! Start your cooking journey now!

Ways to Support

Donate

To send a paper check to either the Raleigh, NC or Columbia, SC office, please use these addresses: 

  • North Carolina PO Box: 7413 Six Forks Rd., #255 Raleigh, NC 27615
  • South Carolina PO Box: 701 Gervais Street, Suite 150, Box 195, Columbia, SC 29201

For general online donations to NKF Serving the Carolinas or memorial donation, please visit the link below. 

Advocate

Are you interesting in becoming an advocate? NKF is the largest, most comprehensive longstanding patient organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. Join us to advocate for the Living Donor Protection Act in North and South Carolina! 32 other states across the country have approved this bill for kidney donors.

Kidney Cars

Do you have a car sitting in your driveway looking for a new home? Look no further, we have the solution for you!

  • Start in 1 Minute - Call 800.488.CARS (800.488.2277) or select your location to start our online form.
  • Fast, Free Pickup - 24-hour pickup. All on your schedule.
  • Save on Taxes - We handle your car. You get a tax receipt.

We're on Social Media!

Stay connected with our office on social media! We love engaging with our kidney community. Follow the below pages for more information about upcoming events, programs, and helpful tips/information to help you live your healthiest life for your kidneys!

Map of NC

North Carolina Office

7413 Six Forks Rd. #255

Raleigh, NC 27615

Email: nkfnc@kidney.org

Phone: 704.519.0020

Fax: 980.819.8682

Map of SC

South Carolina Office

1643 B Savannah Hwy

PMB 120

Charleston, SC 29407

Email: nkfsc@kidney.org

Phone: 803.799.3870

Local Office

7413 Six Forks Rd., #255
Raleigh, NC 27615
United States

Email: nkfnc@kidney.org
Fax: 980.819.8682
Phone: 704.519.0020

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events at this time.

Please check back soon!