75 Years of Lifesaving Impact

For 75 years, the National Kidney Foundation has been revolutionizing kidney care through groundbreaking research and innovation, patient advocacy, and community support.

Mom and daughter hugging

A Legacy of Hope: 75 Years and Counting

Here are the milestones that have shaped kidney care, transforming kidney health one person at a time. Let’s pave the way for the next 75 years with bold goals, unrelenting action, and the power of you!

  • Ada DeBold, NKF founder, and her husband Harry
    1950
    The first meeting of the Committee for Nephrosis Research (later NKF) is held, marking the foundation of NKF.
  • NKF leaders holding up a sign reading
    1964
    The National Kidney Disease Foundation changes its name to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), reflecting its expanded mission to include education, patient services, and advocacy.
  • Woman in 1960s laying on the floor watching a television set
    1966
    NKF launches its first national public education campaign, utilizing TV, radio, and press to raise awareness about kidney disease.
  • Uniform Donor Card
    1968
    NKF contributes to the passage of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and distributes tens of millions of kidney donor cards, paving the way for organ donation awareness.
  • U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
    1972
    The Medicare End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) benefit is passed, ensuring nearly all U.S. residents with kidney failure have access to treatment, led by NKF advocacy.
  • President Ronald Reagan signing a bill
    1984
    The National Transplant Act passes with NKF’s strong leadership, laying the foundation for the national transplant system.
  • A group from NKF standing in front of a KDOQI sign
    1995
    NKF launches the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI®), which sets the gold standard for clinical practice guidelines to improve kidney patient care.
  • woman getting her blood pressure checked at an NKF KEEP event
    1997
    NKF creates the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP®), detecting kidney disease at its earliest stages through free health screenings.
  • granddaughter bringing flowers to her grandfather in the hospital where he's recovering from transplant surgery
    1999
    NKF helps pass the Organ Donor Leave Act, providing paid leave to federal civil servants who serve as living organ donors.
  • pharmacist handing a person their prescription
    2000
    The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act extends Medicare coverage for anti-rejection drugs for the life of the patient’s transplant, supported by NKF.
  • doctor
    2002
    Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO®) is created, promoting global kidney care guidelines.

  • 2005
    NKF's patient empowerment and advocacy group is established (later People Like Us and Voices for Kidney Health®).
  • Someone from NKF testifying at the House of Representatives in U.S. Congress
    2005
    NKF leads the promotion of the first “World Kidney Day” in the U.S., creating an annual global awareness campaign.
  • NKF Peers logo
    2011
    NKF launches the PEERs® patient mentoring program, later expanded to include living kidney donors and those considering donation.
  • Diagram of a scale depicting trends going up and down in 2014
    2014
    Dialysis trends improve: fewer people are starting dialysis for the first time in 35 years, and dialysis patients are living longer, influenced by NKF initiatives.
  • NKF medical experts
    2016
    NKF launches the CKDintercept® program to change the way the primary care system works regarding CKD.
  • NKF CEO Kevin Longino and other NKF folks at the White House Organ Summit
    2016
    NKF participates in the White House Organ Summit, advancing organ donation and reducing the waiting list for transplants.
  • Medical professional speaking with patient, reviewing guidance
    2016
    NKF collaborates with the National Health Council to create guidelines for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on patient input into drug development, leading to the Voice of the Patient: Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meetings (VOP EL-PFDD).
  • NKF The Big Ask The Big Give Event
    2017
    NKF launches THE BIG ASK, THE BIG GIVE®, a program that educates kidney patients and living donors about transplantation.
  • Bill signing at the White House
    2019
    NKF plays a major role in shaping the White House’s Advancing American Kidney Health (AAKH) initiative, which transforms kidney care in the U.S.
  • NKF representatives visiting with Congressmen
    2020
    Legislation to provide lifetime Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients passes, a long-time NKF goal.
  • Illustration of a doctor treating a Black patient
    2021
    NKF and ASN announce a new race-free calculation for estimating eGFR, improving equity in kidney care.
  • NKF Innovation Fund Logo
    2021
    The NKF Innovation Fund is launched, investing in early-stage companies to accelerate kidney care innovation.
  • NKF representatives at the White House for a bill signing
    2023
    The U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Act passes, improving the national transplant system with NKF’s support.

One day, no one’s life will be lost to kidney disease.

Every dollar donated during National Kidney Month will be matched up to $50K! Your gift today will help revolutionize kidney health and transform lives for the next 75 years and beyond by helping to:
  • Equip patients and families with knowledge, resources, and access to high-quality care.
  • Advocate for policies that address disparities and prioritize kidney health for all.
  • Fund research and technology to advance early detection, improve treatment, and expand transplant access.