National Kidney Month: Empower Yourself with NKF's Kidney Health Resources

For 75 years, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has been a leader in kidney health advocacy, research, and education. National Kidney Month is the perfect time to celebrate this milestone and take charge of your health. Here are our top 10 free resources to help you care for your kidneys and connect with a supportive kidney community. 

Right now, 33% of the U.S. population is at risk of kidney disease–That’s 1 in 3 adults in America who could develop chronic kidney disease in the future and likely don’t even know it. If you have a family member or friend with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or overweight, they may be one of them.

Share this one-minute quiz to help them discover if they are at risk. It may just save their life. 

Kidney disease may leave you confused, isolated, and overwhelmed, but you don't have to go through it alone. By joining NKF Peers, you can receive one-on-one support from a trained mentor living with kidney disease, ask questions to people with real experiences, and learn about treatment options.

Yessie is also an NKF Peer mentor. She trained to help others with kidney disease by sharing her experiences and supporting them.

“Dialysis can be scary. Not having it is even scarier. All my challenges taught me to be patient and understanding,” Yessie, an NKF Peer mentor said. “I encourage others to try and stay positive. I know it’s hard but it’s possible because we have each other. Find your community and try your best to support one another.”

NKF Peers is also available for care partners and people considering becoming a living kidney donors.

Learn more about NKF Peers. 

The Kidney Learning Center offers interactive education and support for people with kidney disease, care partners, and potential donors. Choose the course that best fits your needs and go at your own pace.

• Kidney Disease Education: Chronic Kidney Disease Basics: Learn about the basics of kidney disease and how your kidney health is measured.
• Kidney Disease Education: Choosing a Treatment: Learn about all of the treatment options for kidney failure.
• First Steps to Transplant: Beginner's guide to getting a kidney transplant that covers the evaluation and surgery.
• After Transplant: Learn what to expect after receiving a kidney transplant, including information about medications, rejection, and mental health.
• Becoming a Living Donor: This course teaches the benefits and risks of kidney donation and explains the process of becoming a living donor.
• Finding a Living Donor: Learn seven key strategies to write and share your story to find a living donor.
   

NKF's Voices for Kidney Health is a community of patients and care partner advocates working with elected officials and other public leaders to help those facing the challenges of kidney disease and promote better kidney health. But we can't do it without you.

Your story influences public policy regarding kidney health, organ donation, and transplantation.

“There is never a convenient time to advocate. Jump in! Get involved by talking to your elected officials and their assistants,” said Gene, a kidney advocate. “Our legislators need to understand what kidney patients go through. That’s where you come in—build relationships and share your story.”

Advocacy is also more than just passing laws—it’s about creating connections.

“Advocating is rewarding,” Gene said. “It’s bringing people together and watching them find their voice. It’s seeing people flourish and become more empowered.”

See how you can take action and make a difference.

Our communities are the perfect place to share your experiences and connect with others on kidney health, kidney disease, and kidney transplants.

"I want to thank all forum members for your invaluable assistance," said a member of the kidney disease forum. "It hasn't been easy and I still have a long way to go but you never know which way the pendulum will swing."

NKF Communities: 

• NKF Kidney Disease Community
• NKF Dialysis Community
• NKF Transplant Community
• NKF Kidney Donor Community
• NKF Parents of Children with Kidney Disease

Do you have specific questions about kidney disease for yourself, a friend, or a family member? Ask consultative nephrologist, Dr. Leslie Spry. He is the medical director of a dialysis center specializing in hypertension, dialysis, chronic kidney disease, and more.

"Most people have no symptoms until CKD is advanced. "If you wait until you have symptoms to be tested, you've waited too long," said Dr. Spry to a user asking about the warning signs of kidney disease.

"Signs of advancing kidney disease include swollen ankles, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased appetite, blood in the urine, and foamy urine."

Ask the doctor.

Join this research study by telling us about your experience with kidney disease. Afterward, you’ll get up-to-date education, information about support programs, and access to clinical trial opportunities. Registration takes just a few minutes.

Join the KidneyCARE Study.

Do you have a question about kidney disease, dialysis, or transplantation? NKF Cares, our Patient Information Center can help. Speak with a trained specialist who will answer your questions and listen to your concerns.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate your generous, kind response to my request for information. The wealth of information you provided will certainly help me to support my husband's effort to maintain the kidney function he has for as long as possible," said an anonymous NKF Cares user. "While this is certainly frightening for both of us, at least we are more confident that we are informed about better choices."

Call toll-free at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or email nkfcares@kidney.org to get started. 

The Big Ask Big Give program teaches people how to share their stories and ask for help. It also educates people who may want to donate a kidney.

When Howard’s kidney failed, his doctors urged him to ask a family to become his kidney donor. Unwilling to ask the people he loved for something so large, he repeatedly said no.

“After four years on the kidney transplant waitlist, there was no match for me in sight,” Howard said. “To help patients like me have these difficult conversations, NKF launched The Big Ask: The Big Give, a comprehensive public awareness initiative and series of workshops designed to make it easier for patients to find a living donor and get off the growing waitlist.”

With the help of The Big Ask. The Big Give, Howard opened up about his need for a kidney. His sister-in-law, Lori, stepped up to donate.

“It was such a relief to be free of dialysis treatments. Though it hasn’t always been second nature to consider asking others for help, I’ve learned to be more open-minded,” Howard said. “There are no guarantees in this life, and you never know what the answer might be if you don’t ask.”

Find a live transplant event near you.

Kidney Walk is more than just a walk—it’s a way to find support and connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with kidney disease. Whether you have kidney disease, love someone who does, or just want to help, joining a Kidney Walk can be an uplifting experience.

Here, you’ll meet people who share similar challenges and goals. You’ll see how powerful it feels to be part of a community that cares. Together, you can raise awareness and celebrate hope.

Find a walk near you.