NKF Serving Northern California

NKF of the West

Upcoming in-person and virtual programs and events across CA, NV, OR, and WA
October 16, 2025 12:00pm PT Virtual Event | General Public
 
December 11, 2025 6:00pm PT In-Person Event | Hilton Garden Inn Walnut Creek | Medical Professionals
 
March 28, 2025 11am PT In-Person Event | Hyatt Regency Embarcadero | General Public

Kidney Community Programs

To keep the kidney community up to date with crucial information, we've provided resources about dialysis, transplant, palliative care, and other ways to connect and support.

Ask Away: Making the Most of Every Medical Visit: A Virtual Session for the Kidney Community

Thursday, October 16, 2025 @ 12pm PT

JOIN US for a one-hour Zoom session on Thursday, October, 16, 2025, 12pm PT / 2pm CT / 3pm ET, to empower patients and families to:

  • Feel calmer, more confident going into your appointments
  • Speak up, ask questions, and get clear answers
  • Make sure your doctor really hears what matters to you
  • Know where to find trustworthy health information

Register online: https://nkfcnow.org/AskAway

Presenters

  • Catina O’Leary, PhD, MSW, President and CEO, Health Literacy Media
  • Christina Goalby, LMSW, Senior Advisor of Transplant Partnerships and Education, Health Literacy Media

Host: National Kidney Foundation serving CA, NV, OR and WA

Sponsor: Ardelyx

Target Audience: 

  • Anyone who struggles to understand medical jargon
  • Anyone who wants to better advocate for themselves at appointments
  • Providers who want to better connect with patients and their care partners

Professional Programs

Designed for healthcare professionals committed to continuing their education and improving patient outcomes, the Professional Education Resource Center (PERC) offers activities courses, events and other engaging content on an array of carefully selected topics given by renowned faculty.

Nephrology Journal Club: Case Study Discussions

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Join us for this in-person Journal Club dinner program, exploring two key aspects of kidney health: The Nephrologist’s Perspective on Renal Manifestations of Fabry Disease, focusing on early detection and management of this rare condition, and a Nutritional Approach to Chronic Kidney Disease, offering evidence-based dietary strategies to support renal function and improve patient outcomes.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Location: 
Hilton Garden Inn Walnut Creek, 490 Lawrence Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Agenda
6:00pm - 6:30pm Networking 
6:30pm - 8:30pm Program

57th Annual Medical Symposium

Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 8am PT (All-Day)

The 57th Annual Medical Symposium is a long-standing Bay Area tradition hosted by National Kidney Foundation, bringing together leading nephrology professionals for a full-day, CME/CE certified educational program. This in-person symposium features expert speakers presenting the latest research and clinical insights on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This symposium fosters collaboration across disciplines and equips healthcare professionals with evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for individuals with CKD. Join us on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Foster City-San Mateo. Check-in begins at 7:30am PT and program begins at 8:30am and concludes at 5:15pm. Can’t attend in-person? All sessions will be recorded. 

Early Bird Pricing (ends Sept 3, 2025)
Members: $80 ($110 starting 9/4/25)
Non-Members: $110 ($140 starting 9/4/25)
Fellows, students, and residents: Free (registration required)

Register to receive on-demand access to the recorded sessions available about a week after the live program, earning the full 6.25 CE/CME on your own time.

Upcoming Events

We regularly host webinars for patients and caregivers as well as signature events like the Kidney Walk and Authors Luncheon. Give back to the local kidney community by attending, supporting, and fundraising with us. 

37th Annual Authors Luncheon

Saturday, March 28, 2026 @ 11am

Celebrating its 37th year, the Authors Luncheon is a signature literary salon and fundraising gala hosted by and benefiting the nonprofit organization, National Kidney Foundation. The 2026 event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco, CA, featuring prestigious authors, speakers, book signings, silent auction, and luncheon, and highlighting honorees from the kidney community. 

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Schedule: Book Signing - 11am | Luncheon - 12pm
Location: Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111
Sponsorships and Tables: Register Now

Sponsorships and tables are now available on the Authors Luncheon website. Early bird pricing is available (contact Lindsay Ward, lindsay.ward@kidney.org for more information). Tickets will be available December 2025. 

Join the Authors Luncheon Facebook Group to join the book-forward conversation!

Kidney Community Resources

To keep the kidney community up to date with crucial information, we've provided resources about dialysis, transplant, palliative care, and other ways to connect and support.

Local Support Groups

BAAKP support group graphic
Monthly on Second Sundays 3:00-4:30pm PT

Bay Area Association of Kidney Patients (BAAKP) hosts a support group that meets virtually once per month on Sundays from 3-4:30pm PT. Please join us for our Online Kidney Support Group. This event is for people affected by kidney disease: patients, families, and supporters. Everyone is welcome! 

To get the Zoom meeting link or more info, visit the BAAKP website or contact at info@baakp.org or (925) 787-3577. 

Transplant-Nation support group graphic
Weekly on Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00pm PT

San Francisco Transplant-Nation is a patient and caregiver support network that provides resources and hosts a support group for the transplant community. Join us from San Francisco every Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm. We welcome individuals who have already had a transplant, are considering one, or those who are supporting a loved one through this process. We offer a safe, supportive space, for shared experiences, helpful resources and information. 

Visit the SF Transplant-Nation website for more information and to join the online support group via Zoom. 

TRIO SF Bay Area support group graphic
Meets monthly on Second Thursdays @ 7:00pm PT

Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) – San Francisco Bay Area Chapter hosts a monthly support group. Support group meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm PT via Zoom. Bring your questions and share your experience with the transplant.

To join the virtual support group and get more information on transplant resources, including medical news, personal and caretaker support, chapter information across the country, and public policy news, please visit the TRIO website. 

 

NKF CARES image

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.

En Español

NKF PEERS image

NKF PEERs

NKF PEERS is a program where kidney patients, living donors, or care partners can connect over the phone with a trained mentor. Mentors are people who have been there themselves and can help others by sharing their experiences.

En Español

Kidney Cars image

Kidney Cars

Donate your vehicle! Call 800.488.CARS (800.488.2277), schedule your pickup, and receive a tax receipt for your donation. We make donating easy. Complete the online form to start your donation. Kidney Cars turns your ride into a vehicle for change.

NKF Volunteers image from 2024 Southern California Kidney Walk

Volunteer

NKF Volunteers are essential to local events! They help educate fellow kidney patients, support programs, and advocate for improvements that directly impact our community. 

Thank You to Our Community

2025 Northern California Kidney Walk - action shot

Here are photos from the 2025 Northern California Kidney Walk at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA.

Photo of attendees at booth at 56th Annual Medical Symposium

Here are photos from the 56th Annual Medical Symposium (Foster City, CA). 

Photo from the 36th Annual Authors Luncheon of crowd

If you'd like to read the 2024 Impact Report, visit here: 36th Annual Authors Luncheon - Impact Report

Here are photos from the 36th Annual Authors Luncheon. 

Sponsor NKF Programs & Events

Partner with the National Kidney Foundation serving Northern California. Sponsorship opportunities include signature events like the Kidney Walk and Authors Luncheon, patient & community education programs, medical professional education programs, health equity initiatives, and workplace engagement & wellness programs. Learn more about available partnerships: 

2026 NKF West Coast Sponsorship Opportunities

Local Office

220 Montgomery Street
Suite 1041
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States

Email: eventsnca@kidney.org
Fax: 415.543.3331
Phone: 415.543.3303
Toll Free: 888.427.5653

Upcoming Events