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News & Stories

How Untreated High Blood Pressure Led to Kidney Failure and a New Purpose

Stacey didn’t know high blood pressure could damage her kidneys. Now she’s speaking out so others don’t miss the signs.
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Diet and nutrition,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Signs and symptoms,
Cardiovascular disease,
Vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and supplements,
High blood pressure,
Sodium
News & Stories

A Kidney Patient Action Guide to Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”

Learn how Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will affect CKD, dialysis, and transplant care. A must-read action guide for kidney patients and caregivers...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Health insurance,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy,
Health equity,
Concerns about care
News & Stories

Care Partner Burnout in Kidney Disease Is Real. Here’s What You Can Do

Supporting someone with kidney disease? Discover signs of burnout, ways to cope, and how to get the help you need.
Kidney groups,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Care partners,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Care partners of adults
News & Stories

A Day on the Hill: Why Every Voice Matters in the Fight for Kidney Health

OPTN modernization, Medicaid protections, and kidney research funding took center stage during NKF’s Hill Day. See how you can help drive change.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

Stepsibling Bond Leads to Life-Saving Kidney Donation

Read this powerful kidney transplant story about stepsiblings, identity, and living donation. 
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Living donation,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation
News & Stories

Kidney Patients’ Guide to the CONNECT for Health Act

Kidney patients rely on telehealth for care. The CONNECT for Health Act ensures it stays. Here's what you need to know and how to take action.
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

NKF Weighs In on Proposed HHS Reorganization

As the White House considers restructuring HHS, NKF highlights risks and opportunities for kidney care, research, and public health policy.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

NKF Urges House Committee to Protect Medicaid for Kidney Patients

Learn how cuts in Medicaid, which covers dialysis, transplants, and medications for 75% of kidney patients, could affect your access to healthcare. 
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy,
Concerns about care
News & Stories

Insights from the 2025 Summit: What Kidney Advocate Needs to Know

Explore highlights from NKF’s 2025 Kidney Patient Summit, where experts and advocates discussed kidney disease screening, access, and clinical trials.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

2025 Kidney Patient Summit: Advocates Unite to Drive Change on Capitol Hill

Patients, caregivers & donors united in D.C. for the Kidney Patient Summit, pushing for kidney health policies. Learn how they’re making a differe...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

How Minnesota’s Hmong Community is Raising Kidney Disease Awareness

Mistrust in healthcare, diabetes, and high blood pressure lead to late kidney disease diagnoses in Minnesota’s Hmong community. NKF is working to chan...
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Fundraising and volunteering
News & Stories

Managing Kidney Disease at Every Stage: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Worried about kidney disease? Ask your doctor the right questions about your risk, treatments, and lifestyle changes to stay on top of your health.
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Informed decision-making,
Talking to healthcare professional,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Federal Programs Play a Vital Role in Kidney Patient Care

Millions of kidney patients rely on federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid & transplant reforms. Learn how HHS layoffs may impact their care.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

New Administration, New Policies: What It Means for Kidney Patients

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

Advancing Kidney Health Equity: NKF's 2024 Advocacy Wins

Learn how NKF, with thousands of advocates, fought kidney care disparities in 2024—removing race-based metrics, improving dialysis and transplant acce...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

How This Kidney Advocate Overcame Polycystic Kidney Disease

Learn how Gene Blankenship, a Cherokee Nation citizen, overcame PKD and how he champions kidney health advocacy in Oklahoma.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
PKD
News & Stories

Maximizing Medicare in 2025: What to Know for Open Enrollment

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health insurance,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Exploring Dental Coverage in Medicare: What the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Means for Kidney Patients

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Policy and legislation
News & Stories

True Love’s Kidney: Overcoming Kidney Failure Together

Fitness instructor, influencer, and businesswoman Tatiana Zambardino knows how to work hard and face challenges head-on. So, when her then fianc, now...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Living donors,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

From Childhood Kidney Disease Diagnosis to Kidney Doctor

Dr. Ken Sutha's kidney disease journey began at the age of ten. His experiences navigating kidney disease, undergoing multiple kidney transplants, and...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Son’s Gift. A Wife’s Promise: Fighting for Living Kidney Donors

Mari Artinian's husband, Chris, was diagnosed with early-stage kidney disease in 2009. His kidneys were damaged by obesity, which forces your kidneys ...
Treatments and therapies,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Hemodialysis,
Patient advocacy,
Home hemodialysis
News & Stories

Model Behavior: A Living Kidney Donor Story

When Emerald Marie, a professional curve model, journalist, and social media influencer, learned her uncle had kidney failure, she didnt hesitate to ...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Message from NKF's Interim Senior Vice President of Government Relations

Written by Jesse Roach, MD Interim Senior Vice President of Government Relations atNational Kidney Foundation Dear Advocates and Friends of the Natio...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Life-Changing Experience for Kids with Kidney Disease

Pool parties, rock wall climbing, and sleepovers are experiences many may take for granted. Not Maya Zarger. She developed kidney failure as a baby an...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Children and adolescents,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Expanding Living Donation: Understanding the Key Legislation

Every day, 12 people die waiting for a kidney transplant. Living organ donation plays a vital role in addressing this crisis. However, many potential ...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Honoring Three NKF Volunteers with The Arthur P. Pasquarella Leadership in Action Award

At the National Kidney Foundation, we are committed to educating people about their risk of kidney disease while dismantling structural inequities in ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Fundraising and volunteering,
Patient advocacy,
Fundraising events
News & Stories

Instincts and Impact: The Decision to Donate a Kidney

Kellye Miller has always followed her instinct. As a fourth-year college student, she gave up a physics scholarship to pursue communications at a new ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Living donors,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

When Courage Meets Kindness

When Courage Meets Kindness Jennifer Cramer-Miller Marcia Ballinger, a leader in the Twin Cities executive search community, involves herself in an ar...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Living donors,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Making the Case for Home Dialysis

By Lauren Drew, Congressional Relations Director Many patients are not informed when they first begin dialysis that there are more options beyond the...
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Hemodialysis,
Patient advocacy,
Home hemodialysis
News & Stories

5 NKF Advocates Fighting for KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL™

Meet five inspiring Voices for Kidney Health advocates at the forefront of the battle for kidney equity. They faced kidney disease head-on, and now th...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Patient advocacy,
Health equity
News & Stories

NKF's Call to Establish Standardized Screening Recommendations for Chronic Kidney Disease

Ensuring access to early screening is vital for safeguarding the health of your heart and kidneys. That is why the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is...
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Disease prevention,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Shining A Bright Light of Advocacy

Shining A Bright Light of Advocacy Jennifer Cramer-Miller Two decades ago, when Charles Rice was in his thirties, he felt invincible. A married hard-w...
Treatments and therapies,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Making an Impact Beyond DC

By Valerie Rinck, Advocacy Manager On February 27th over 160 Voices for Kidney Health advocates headed to Capitol Hill to close out the 11th Annual Ki...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

On the Path to KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL™: NKF's 2024 Progress Report

From helping thousands discover their kidney disease risk and assuring equitable access to transplant, learn how NKF is fighting for KIDNEY EQUITY FOR...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Health equity
News & Stories

3 Advocacy Tips from Sharon McMahon, America's Government Teacher®

Starting your advocacy journey might seem a bit overwhelming, but don't worry. Sharon McMahon, the brain behind Sharon Says So on social media and for...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Sharon McMahon's Journey to Kidney Disease Advocacy

Sharon McMahon's commitment to truth and the democratic processes that shape the US gave her the online title of America's Government Teacher. By sha...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Transplant recipients ,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

What is Going on With Transplant Reform?

By Lauren Drew, Director of Congressional Relations UPDATE 3/24/2024: President Biden has signed into law the FY24 funding package that includes an ad...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

The Future for Kidney Advocacy is Bright Thanks to You

By Matthew Fitting Starting a new job always involves uncertainty, but particularly so when I joined the National Kidney Foundation as its new Directo...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Moving from a Cane to Curling for a Cure

Moving from a Cane to Curling for a Cure Jennifer Cramer-Miller Regan Birr graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a mechanical engineering...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Patient advocacy,
Autoimmune kidney diseases and conditions,
Lupus nephritis
News & Stories

Champions of Change: 5 NKF Advocates Fighting For Better Kidney Health Policy

It's time to celebrate all the achievements Voices for Kidney Health advocates drove forward this past year. We passed the U.S. Organ Procurement and ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Patient advocacy,
Health equity
News & Stories

A Holiday Reflection on Family and the Ongoing Fight for Kidney Health

By Sharon Pearce, SVP Government Relations Sharon Pearce, the Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), s...
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Recapping Kidney Advocacy’s Spectacular Triumphs of 2023

The National Kidney Foundation's advocacy efforts in 2023 started with welcoming a new Congress. It ended with the passage of game-changing legislatio...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

6 More Celebrities with Kidney Disease

This article is the second in a series that showcases celebrities who've faced kidney disease while pursuing their passions and careers. Their stories...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Medical Bias Unveiled: A Path to Kidney Health Advocacy

What began as preparation for a simple surgery set off a chain of events in Janet Tennysons life that culminated in a kidney disease diagnosis. This ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Cardiovascular disease,
Patient advocacy,
Health equity,
High blood pressure
News & Stories

“Incredibly Fulfilling” How One University is Helping People Overcome Kidney Transplant Barriers

[VIDEO::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufDWuv5UwQo::aVideoStyle] Diabetes, the leading cause of kidney disease, has hit epidemic levels in South Carol...
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Risk factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

What Is Kidney Advocacy and Why Is It So Important?

Advocacy has the power to bring people together across all walks of life in pursuit of a common, critical goal: for NKF and its advocates, to put an e...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

From Dialysis Clinics to Capitol Hill

When Erin Hintz Cabaluna was a dietitian intern, she was sent to a dialysis unit in a hospital. Working with people on dialysis made Erin nervous beca...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Fundraising and volunteering,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

What Kidney Patients Need to Know During Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage is upon us and its important that kidney patients get all the information as they make decisions that will aff...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Breaking Down New Extended Medicare Coverage for Immunosuppressive Drugs

Transplant centers require people to have a certain amount of money or savings to ensure they can pay for immunosuppressive drugsmedications crucial ...
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Medicines,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Immunosuppressants,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Trick or Treat Yourself to 5 Kidney-Friendly Halloween Sweets

Get ready to celebrate Halloween with this collection of kidney-friendly treats that will enchant your taste buds and leave trick-or-treaters begging ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diet and nutrition,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Diet and meal planning,
CKD diet
News & Stories

NKF Calls for Comprehensive Reform to Improve Renal Dialysis Services

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) recently joined a coalition of kidney community stakeholders to encourage the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid S...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Navigating College, Dialysis, and Transplant: One Advocate’s Kidney Disease Journey

Lance Mason's kidney journey began before he was even bornboth his parents had kidney disease and had gone through dialysis and kidney transplants. G...
Treatments and therapies,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Celebrating A Medicare Milestone and Looking Ahead to The Future of Kidney Care

Last week National Kidney Foundation staff and stakeholders from across the kidney community hosted Members of Congress, legislative staff, and though...
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Health insurance,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Championing Health Equity in Kidney Care Policy for the People Health Summit

At the recently held Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Policy for the People Health Summit, NKF staff discussed our kidney patient-focused ...
About NKF,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Kidney Advocates Drive State Legislative Wins in 2023

When the Nevada state legislature unanimously passed Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA) legislation in early May, Voices for Kidney Health advocate Ju...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Coping with Chronic Kidney Disease: “Being an Advocate Saved My Life.”

Derek Forfang's journey with kidney disease has been a long, winding road filled with anxiety, depression, and heartbreak. Even after receiving one pa...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Chronic kidney disease,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Pushing for Kidney Disease Screenings to Help the Patients that Need Them Most

Both the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the Coalition for Kidney Health (C4KH), a multi-stakeholder group of partners convened by NKF, recently...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Tests and procedures,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Diagnostic, screening, and imaging tests,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

From Living Donor to Advocacy Leader: One Woman’s Quest to Increase Living Donation in Minnesota

Jen Anderson made a selfless decision when she was nineteenshe donated a kidney to her aunt. Many other young adults may have found organ donation fr...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Voices for Kidney Health Advocates Return to Capitol Hill

For the first time in four years, patients and NKF staff from across the country kicked off National Kidney Month and the 10th annual Kidney Patient S...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

'Tis the Season to Work with Your Legislators on Kidney Health Policies

With legislative sessions in full swing at the state and federal levels, National Kidney Foundations Government Relations team is here to provide you...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Living Kidney Donor, Adventurer, and Voices for Kidney Health Advocate

Since donating a kidney to her brother Brian in 2005, June Monroe has led a life of adventure. She has traveled the world, gone skydiving, and won num...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

5 Ways To Support Children and Adolescents with Kidney Disease

Nearly 10,000 children1 in the country are living with kidney failure and require either dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. How can you be...
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Kidney groups,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Caregiving,
Children and adolescents,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Transition to adult care
News & Stories

A Kidney Patient’s Journey to Advocacy

With Election Day around the corner, National Kidney Foundation advocates are already looking ahead to 2023, when state legislatures and a new Congres...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Casting your ballot for kidney health this November

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is once again encouraging kidney community members to make their voices heard in this Novembers midterm election...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

White House Conference Highlights Importance of Nutrition Policy

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the White House is hosting a National Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health with the specific goal of ending h...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

August Advocate Meetings Ensure Congress Hears Kidney Patients Loud and Clear

For the second August in a row, newer members of the Voices for Kidney Health advocate community from across the country met with their federal lawmak...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Working With a Health Care Provider to Make Decisions for Your Kidney Care

Ansara Piebenga is the parent of a child kidney transplant recipient. Elizabeth Fortune has spent the last eight years on dialysis. What do they have ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Informed decision-making
News & Stories

How to Share Your Story and Find a Living Kidney Donor

Need a kidney transplant but don't know where to start? Here's advice from two transplant recipients who've been in your shoes.
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Kidney transplantation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

House Bill Provides Critical Boost in Kidney Funding

This week the House Appropriations Committee released its annual bill that includes funding for health policy programs. NKF is very pleased that our r...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF Partners with Congress to Improve Health Equity

As kidney disease continues to disproportionately affect patients of color and patients of low income, NKF is proud to partner with Members of Congres...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health equity
News & Stories

NKF Advocates Secure Support for Living Organ Donor Protections Across the Country

Since the start of state legislative sessions in January, Voices for Kidney Health advocates have worked with lawmakers to pass Living Donor Protectio...
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A New Way To Improve Lives

Accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to treat and prevent kidney disease. The NKF Innovation Fund launched on April 7th and is supported by invest...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health equity
News & Stories

Your Story, Your Voice

You are the strongest advocate for kidney patients, living donors, and their families. On March 2nd, NKF hosted its ninth annual Kidney Patient Summit...
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Hemodialysis,
Patient advocacy,
Home hemodialysis
News & Stories

Record Number of Representatives Sign On To Kidney Disease Funding Letter

Every March, the US House of Representatives begins its annual budget and appropriations process. There are forms and meetings and sign-on letters cir...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Powerful and Timely Kidney Patient Summit

Last week more than 220 Voices for Kidney Health advocates from across the country met with their federal lawmakers in Congress and urged them to join...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF Patient Network: Changing the Face of Kidney Disease

When we first set out to recruit patients into our newly launched patient registry a year ago, the task seemed impossible. Would patients recognize th...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Personal Mission to Improve Kidney Care Through Policy

By Allison Herrity, NKF Advocacy Manager Im very excited to join the National Kidney Foundation in the Advocacy Manager role as we begin an exciting ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF and Kidney Advocates Led the Way in 2021

In 2021 advocates from across the country worked to ensure that a pro-kidney health agenda moved forward at every level possible, while NKF ensured th...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Continuing the Discussion on Our Research Roundtables and Federal Kidney Funding

In October 2021, NKF released a series of priorities and opportunities in kidney disease research that resulted from the work of our Research Roundtab...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
About NKF,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Fundraising and volunteering,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Helping Our Voices for Kidney Health Make Themselves Heard

For Members of Congress, social media has emerged as an essential tool for engaging with the public and the constituents that they represent. For Voic...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Voices Like Yours are Leading the Charge to Bring Dialysis in Home

This new legislation could help improve the lives of kidney patients nationwide Patient advocates and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) have been w...
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Hemodialysis,
Peritoneal dialysis,
Patient advocacy,
Home hemodialysis,
Home peritoneal dialysis
News & Stories

NKF Advocates Put a Face on Kidney Health Agenda in August Meetings

This August NKF Voices for Kidney Health advocates from across the country are meeting with their federal representatives, sharing their stories and w...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

The sound of change

Big victories are possible with your voice On June 1st, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) launched Voices for Kidney Health, a national community o...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Transforming kidney care and research

Together, we'll find a cure for kidney disease After almost two years of collaboration with volunteer advisory committeescomprised of nephrologists, ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Major Kidney Policy Milestone

Late last night kidney community advocates reached an amazing milestone, as the Connecticut state legislature passed and sent to the governor to sign ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Living donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Nephrologists Need to Ensure LGBTQ+ Patients Receive Affirming Care

Affirming care makes it easier for kidney patients in the LGBTQ+ community to stay connected with their health care professionals, and that can save l...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Patient advocacy,
Health equity
News & Stories

Patients, Families, and Health Professionals Unite to Advocate for Change

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Chronic kidney disease,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF Urges Congress to Put Patients First

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health insurance,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Kidney Failure Didn’t Stop this Young Powerhouse Live Her Dreams, Fight for Patients

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Treatments and therapies,
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney failure,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Kapil Panda: Changing Pain into Progress

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Health equity,
Race and ethnicity
News & Stories

Success in Washington Led by Kidney Patient Advocates

On March 2nd, more than 230 advocates from 43 states representing the National Kidney Foundation and five other kidney organizations met virtually wit...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Spotlighting and Addressing Ongoing Kidney Disparity Challenges

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health equity,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

100 Days Of Kidney Action

As this public health crisis affects 37 million Americans, we know that kidney disease is often worsened by lack of access to quality health care. It...
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Become a Part of the Solutions to Fight All Stages of Kidney Disease

The National Kidney Foundations Patient Network is the portal to the latest research, clinical trials, health tips, and community of patients If you ...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Patient advocacy,
Chronic kidney disease
News & Stories

Thankful for our advocates this Thanksgiving!

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF Advocate Speaks at CMS Roundtable on Kidney Care

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Kidney Patients Blaze a Virtual Trail on Capitol Hill!

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

COVID-19 Won’t Stop Kidney Advocates

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Infectious diseases,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
COVID-19,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Educating Congress Virtually This Week!

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Government,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Policy and legislation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Remembering Congressman John Lewis, Kidney Champion

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Your voice: Making the needs of kidney patients a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic

Since the start of the pandemic, National Kidney Foundation staff and volunteers have been working around the clock in partnership with government off...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Infectious diseases,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
COVID-19,
Health equity,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Initiating important conversations: Addressing COVID-19's impact on communities of color

With your support, we're working to eliminate healthcare disparities. In partnership with the NAACP, NKF hosted a Q&A webinar to address the latest up...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Infectious diseases,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
COVID-19,
Patient advocacy,
Race and ethnicity
News & Stories

Patients Share their Hospital Experiences during COVID-19

Recently, we both had to visit our local medical facilities. For most people this might be concerning, however for transplant recipients like us it wa...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Infectious diseases,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
COVID-19,
Patient advocacy,
PKD
News & Stories

Patient Perspectives on Managing Routine Blood Tests during COVID-19

By Risa Simon, NKF patient advocate and founder of The Proactive Path and Transplantfirst Academy; and Michael Stevenson, NKF National Board Member an...
Diseases and conditions,
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Infectious diseases,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
COVID-19,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Sounding the Alarm, Acute Kidney Injury, and Asking the Experts

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Infectious diseases,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
COVID-19,
Acute kidney injury,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Kidney X Challenge fuels and funds patient innovation

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
About NKF,
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

NKF Applauds Administration’s Focus on Kidney Health

This information will help you learn more about kidney health.
Government,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Woman Waiting for a Kidney Shares Her Story and Helps Others in the Process

When Anne Bina found out that her kidneys were failing three decades after a childhood strep infection had weakened them, her first instinct was to ke...
Diseases and conditions,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Organ donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney failure,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

A Dialysis Patient Helps Others as a Peer Mentor

Three days per week, Allen H. Nelson wakes up well before dawn and drives himself to a facility near his home in Gradyville, Pennsylvania for his regu...
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Mental health and wellness,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Coping and self-care,
Hemodialysis
News & Stories

Grateful and Giving Back After a Kidney Transplant

Years ago, Shannon was prescribed Lithium to treat her bipolar disorder. Her doctors told her it could harm her kidneys, but after years of struggling...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Treatments and therapies,
Kidney groups,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Dialysis,
Transplant recipients ,
Peritoneal dialysis
News & Stories

7 Tips for Dating with Kidney Disease

Health diagnosis or not, dating isn’t easy. In many situations, talking about a health or personal issue can feel challenging or cause anxiety.
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney groups,
Children and adolescents,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
People at risk,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Hopeful For the Future

 I was diagnosed with kidney disease when I was 22 months old. This came as a shock to my parents – we had no family history of kidney disease th...
Treatments and therapies,
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Dialysis,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Childhood nephrotic syndrome,
Transition to adult care
News & Stories

Everybody Needs an Avocado

My mom sat down next to me at her kitchen table. “I want to do this,” she said.   “Holy sh*t, Mom.” I thought of the thousands of convers...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Your First Visit with a Kidney Doctor

Your First Visit with a Kidney Doctor Patient Education Patient advocacy Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy Health systems, social syst...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Out of Work? 9 Tips For Managing Your Medical Bills

Out of Work? 9 Tips For Managing Your Medical Bills Resources & Tools Health insurance Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors Healt...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health insurance
News & Stories

Help Protect Patient Access to Health Insurance

On June 22, the U.S. Senate introduced the Better Care Reconciliation Act, their counterpart to the House of Representative's American Healthcare...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Health insurance
News & Stories

Managing CKD with a Smartphone

Smartphones help bring health management to patients’ fingertips. If you have CKD, use your phone to track medications, monitor fluid and mineral inta...
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing,
Appointment management,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy
News & Stories

Hidden Blessings

Laurie is a single mom of two kids. She holds a Master’s degree from Hamline University, and has spent nineteen years in a career in Human resources m...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney failure,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Silver Linings of CKD

My name is Erin; I’m twenty one years old from Saint Paul, MN and a rising senior at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. When I was eleven years...
Diet and nutrition,
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diet and meal planning,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
CKD diet,
Early stage kidney disease,
Transition to adult care
News & Stories

It Started with a Tweet

Minnesota musician, filmmaker, producer and composer Chris Strouth had been dealing with kidney disease for years before his kidneys finally failed in...
Diseases and conditions,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Organ and tissue transplantation and donation,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney transplantation,
Kidney failure,
Patient advocacy
News & Stories

Ada DeBold: How One Mother’s Love Saved Thousands of Lives

From one mother’s mission to a 75-year legacy—learn how Ada DeBold’s fight for her son led to the creation of the National Kidney Foundation.
Treatments and therapies,
Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors,
Diseases and conditions,
Dialysis,
Healthcare system navigation and patient advocacy,
Kidney diseases and conditions,
Patient advocacy,
Childhood nephrotic syndrome