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Patient advocates, we have a reason to celebrate! Thanks to the persistent, years-long advocacy of NKF and the over 2000 patient advocates who contacted the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), OPTN has finally removed the race-based indicator from the Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI). This change, announced on June 28, 2024, marks a significant victory in our ongoing fight for fairness and equality in kidney care.

When a deceased donor kidney becomes available, it is scored by the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI). The lower the score, the longer the kidney is predicted to work. 

How is the KDPI used? When would someone consider a high-KDPI kidney? 

Dr. Anne Hummel, a transplant nephrologist, and Nicole Jefferson, a two-time high KDPI kidney transplant recipient, are here to give you the facts. 

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 Kidney Patient Summit. Advocates took over 200 meetings, bringing the kidney voice to the decision-makers to advance our legislative priorities. The National Kidney Foundation wants you to join in the festivities by participating remotely! There are numerous impactful actions individuals...

With a healthy toddler named Atticus at home, Tara and Josh Schwerdt weren't nervous about expanding their family. 

Halfway through Tara's second pregnancy, that sense of calm was shattered. An imaging test revealed that their baby's kidneys were not functioning correctly, but the full extent of the issue would only be known after Lockett was born.

After finding their baby's...

Jamal Shuriah always knew he wanted to be a performer. He started playing minor roles at local community theaters at seven and continued throughout high school. After graduating, Jamal earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and began his professional career. He quickly landed several notable contracts, including "Monty" in Saturday Night Fever and "Simba" in the Disney cruise line's version of The Lion King. Afterward, Jamal toured with Green Day's...

By Lauren Drew, Congressional Relations Director 

Many patients are not informed when they first begin dialysis that there are more options beyond the traditional in-center, in-a-chair, 3 times a week system. Only 14% of patients on dialysis in the US are using at-home options, despite evidence showing that it may be a better option for some patients1.

The Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act (H.R. 8075) was...

In 2021, there were 786,000 patients1 living with kidney failure, yet less than 25,0002 received a transplant that year. In 2022, the U.S. finally reached 25,000 kidney transplants3 in one year, but there are still an estimated twelve people dying each day without the opportunity to receive a life-saving transplant. 

No one should die while waiting for a kidney, but there aren't enough organs to meet current or future...

En 2021 había 786,000 pacientes1 con insuficiencia renal, pero menos de 25,0002 recibieron un trasplante ese año. En 2022, Estados Unidos finalmente llegó a 25,000 trasplantes de riñón3en un año, pero todavía hay unas doce personas que mueren cada día sin la oportunidad de recibir un trasplante que salva la vida.

Nadie debería morir mientras espera un riñón, pero no hay suficientes órganos para satisfacer las necesidades actuales...

By Katy Wilkens, MS, Registered Dietitian, and Department Head at Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle WA. 

Water is life. Without it, nothing would live on the planet. How hard is it then when your dialysis health care team tells you to limit your intake of water, and all fluids?

When kidneys fail, one of the common side effects is a decrease in making urine. Many people on dialysis stop...