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This article is the second in a series that showcases celebrities who've faced kidney disease while pursuing their passions and careers. Their stories prove that kidney disease cannot stop you from making a lasting impact on the world.

By Andrea Schmidt, transplant recipient and NKF supporter

My name is Andrea Schmidt and I am a kidney transplant recipient.

Let me introduce my story the way I do to other recipients. This is a kind of short hand that transplant recipients speak to each other. We have a way of distilling our medical history into a few lines and it follows this format: number of years post-...

Millions of people around the world have chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender, race, or ethnic background. Some research has shown that the risk for CKD is slightly greater in women than in men - 14% women versus 12% men.1

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) lead to...

33% of American adults are at risk for kidney disease.

Yes, one in three people.

If you are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, heritage you may be at an increased risk for kidney disease.

Black or African Americans...

This is a frequent question and the concern centers around hygiene and the prevention of infections which could include HIV, Hepatitis B and C. People treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant would be more vulnerable to such infections; though there is no specific evidence stating that people with kidney disease...

What is anemia? Anemia happens when your red blood cells are in short supply. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body, giving you the energy you need for your daily activities.

What are the symptoms of anemia? Anemia can cause you to:

• Look pale
• Feel tired
• Have little energy for your daily activities
• Have a poor appetite
• Have trouble sleeping
• Have...