Latest news with #AmericanKidneyFund
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lafayette organ transplant recipient advocates on Capitol Hill
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– One Lafayette resident is on the organ transplant waitlist for the second time. Now, he and the American Kidney Fund are working with lawmakers to get more protections for organ donors and recipients. Pesh Patel is one of over one hundred thousand in the US on the waitlist. 'We went to our respective congressmen and senators' offices to discuss the initiatives that are important to kidney patients,' Patel said. 'The two that we focused on were the Medicaid cuts and the Living Donor Protection Act.' They're pushing for Medicaid to fully cover the cost of dialysis for those who cannot afford insurance. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I've spoken to a lot of people that say, you know, 'I have to decide between paying rent or paying insurance,'' Patel said. They're also hoping to change the Living Donor Protection Act to allow kidney donors paid time off to recover from surgery. 'After donating an organ, there could be some physical side effects,' Patel said. 'So, we want to make sure that these patients that step up to save lives, literally they're saving lives, have the same time afforded to them as other people.' Patel continued, 'On the state level, the Living Donor Protection Act only covers bone marrow donors. It does not cover solid organ donors, so we're trying to change that also on a state level.' Patel said steps were made, but 'One trip isn't going to solve everything.' Just like his first transplant didn't solve everything for him. 'Once I received the transplant, I didn't look at it as a treatment,' Patel said. 'And it is a treatment; it's not a cure. I looked at it as a cure. So, I thought I was going to live until 100 and everything was going to be gravy, and it was not.' He got a kidney transplant when he was diagnosed with End State Renal Disease, the end stage of chronic kidney disease. A few years later, his body rejected it. Now, he's back on the waitlist. 'I was the one that said after the transplant rejected that I'm never going to have dialysis again,' Patel said. 'I'm never getting a transplant again. I was just kind of done with it.' 'Then fast forward, once I found my purpose of being an advocate and helping others,' Patel said. 'I said I need to fight for myself, so I can help others.' He urges everyone to get a kidney screening and advocate for others who are waiting for their lives to be saved. AM Grocery reopens after arson attempt, vows to give back to Jeanerette community Blake Lively withdraws claims of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni Judge orders federal prisons to continue gender-affirming care for transgender inmates Lafayette organ transplant recipient advocates on Capitol Hill Three arrests made in $10 million staged crash scheme Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
American Kidney Fund's Kidney Health for All™ Health Equity Media Campaign Expands to More Communities Nationwide
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has launched the next phase of its national Kidney Health for All™ media campaign, connecting millions more people with resources to help prevent kidney disease in high-risk populations. Part of AKF's Kidney Health for All™ health equity program, the media campaign first launched in 2024 to raise awareness about kidney disease prevention and management among Black and Hispanic/Latino people who are at greatest risk of kidney failure. In the U.S., the prevalence of kidney failure among Black people is more than four times that of white people, while the prevalence of kidney failure in Hispanic or Latino people is more than twice that of non-Hispanic white people, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. 'Our mission in launching Kidney Health for All was simple: to help ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity or background, can access the tools and information they need to help prevent and effectively manage kidney disease,' said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. 'Our critical work to address health disparities is ongoing, and we are grateful for the continuing support of all those who have joined in our efforts to fight kidney disease on all fronts.' The media campaign employs TV, streaming and radio PSAs, digital advertising, and videos in primary care offices nationwide. It also features ads on billboards and public transportation in metropolitan areas with high rates of kidney disease; these billboards and public transit ads have now expanded to eight additional markets, for a total of 16: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Washington, D.C.; Birmingham, Alabama; Columbia, South Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Sacramento, California. AKF's Kidney Health for All health equity program addresses four areas of kidney health: prevention and awareness, increasing use of home dialysis, diversifying participation in clinical trials and increasing access to transplant. As part of this work, AKF established and convened the Health Equity Coalition in 2021. This coalition is comprised of organizations, patients and caregivers and helps guide the development of evidence-based programs and resources for AKF's patient and professional audiences. Since the launch of the program, AKF has developed a number of award-winning resources, including Your Guide to Kidney Transplant and the Home Dialysis Decision Aid, with more resources for people living with kidney disease and those at risk coming soon. AKF has also created a health equity training program, which connects advocates to each other, teaches effective advocacy techniques, helps attendees develop an understanding of health equity impacting people with kidney disease and empowers attendees to advocate for laws, policies and regulations that impact the kidney community. Additionally, AKF is now in its second year of its Kidney Health Coach (KHC) Health Equity Grant program, which helps expand the reach and impact of KHC by empowering organizations and coaches across the country to reach at-risk communities and spread health messaging in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention and management. So far, AKF has awarded 48 coaches and eight organizations with grants. AKF's Kidney Health for All program can be viewed at Kidney Health for All is supported by Presenting Sponsors Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly and Company and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Equity Sponsors AstraZeneca, Merck and Co., Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Sanofi and Travere Therapeutics. About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation's top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar. For more information, please visit or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. CONTACT: Nancy Gregory American Kidney Fund (240) 292-7077 ngregory@
Business Upturn
14-05-2025
- Health
- Business Upturn
The American Kidney Fund's ‘A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' Campaign Provides New Resources for Patients Living with IgA Nephropathy
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, on IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) proudly announces the creation of new educational resources for 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy,' its newly updated educational awareness campaign. Developed by AKF with financial support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Novartis), this new educational content will help people living with IgA nephropathy and their families and caregivers better understand and manage this rare kidney disease. IgA nephropathy is a rare disease that causes inflammation and damage to the kidneys. Over time, this damage reduces the organs' ability to filter waste and fluid from the bloodstream, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. While there is no cure for IgA nephropathy, there are treatments to help treat the disease and slow the damage to the kidneys, potentially delaying or preventing kidney failure. 'We are very pleased to expand our IgA nephropathy campaign with new resources to help patients better understand this rare kidney disease,' said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. 'With support from Novartis, we can provide more information and new tools to help IgAN patients stay 'a step ahead' of their diagnosis and live healthier lives.' As part of this expansion, AKF has updated the 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign webpage. The updates provide more information about proteinuria—protein in the urine. The new resources will also include a downloadable guide about proteinuria progression and an animated explainer video about proteinuria. To further share these resources and raise awareness of IgAN, AKF will also have an Instagram takeover day on June 18 for the campaign. The 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign is part of AKF's ongoing work to increase awareness and understanding of rare kidney diseases and ensure people with rare conditions have access to critical resources. In 2024, AKF launched the Rare Kidney Disease Action Network (RKDAN), a new advocacy network working to ensure the voices of people living with rare kidney diseases are heard and amplified to impact change on the policy level. In its first year, RKDAN focused heavily on issues faced by people living with IgA nephropathy and brought 23 patients to Capitol Hill to advocate for two bills that would significantly improve research, treatment and diagnosis of rare kidney diseases. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation's top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar. For more information, please visit or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The American Kidney Fund's ‘A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' Campaign Provides New Resources for Patients Living with IgA Nephropathy
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, on IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) proudly announces the creation of new educational resources for 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy,' its newly updated educational awareness campaign. Developed by AKF with financial support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Novartis), this new educational content will help people living with IgA nephropathy and their families and caregivers better understand and manage this rare kidney disease. IgA nephropathy is a rare disease that causes inflammation and damage to the kidneys. Over time, this damage reduces the organs' ability to filter waste and fluid from the bloodstream, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. While there is no cure for IgA nephropathy, there are treatments to help treat the disease and slow the damage to the kidneys, potentially delaying or preventing kidney failure. 'We are very pleased to expand our IgA nephropathy campaign with new resources to help patients better understand this rare kidney disease,' said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. 'With support from Novartis, we can provide more information and new tools to help IgAN patients stay 'a step ahead' of their diagnosis and live healthier lives.' As part of this expansion, AKF has updated the 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign webpage. The updates provide more information about proteinuria—protein in the urine. The new resources will also include a downloadable guide about proteinuria progression and an animated explainer video about proteinuria. To further share these resources and raise awareness of IgAN, AKF will also have an Instagram takeover day on June 18 for the campaign. The 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign is part of AKF's ongoing work to increase awareness and understanding of rare kidney diseases and ensure people with rare conditions have access to critical resources. In 2024, AKF launched the Rare Kidney Disease Action Network (RKDAN), a new advocacy network working to ensure the voices of people living with rare kidney diseases are heard and amplified to impact change on the policy level. In its first year, RKDAN focused heavily on issues faced by people living with IgA nephropathy and brought 23 patients to Capitol Hill to advocate for two bills that would significantly improve research, treatment and diagnosis of rare kidney diseases. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation's top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar. For more information, please visit or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. CONTACT: Nancy Gregory American Kidney Fund (240) 292-7077 ngregory@
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kidney disease is a silent killer in the Basin
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Kidney disease and kidney failure is common amongst Texans. 76,126 Texans were living with end-stage renal disease in 2024, shared the American Kidney Fund. Also, 55,954 Texans were on dialysis in 2024. Dr. Anand Reddy, with the Permian Basin Kidney Center, advises members of the Basin to be extra mindful when it comes to protecting their kidney, because several people in the area are susceptible to kidney failure due to common diet choices, or genetic background. Many in the Basin work on job sites miles away from access to healthy foods. Dr. Reddy said, although healthy food options may be limited for many workers in the area, there are some ways to stay healthy. Buying less processed foods at gas stations such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, yogurts or beef jerky, can be healthier alternatives. If you are Hispanic or Black, you are more susceptible to kidney disease shares the National Institute of Health. 'A lot of this kidney diseases can be stopped or slowed down the progress if identified pretty early, and some of the kidney disease are reversible,' Dr. Reddy said. 'In the community there is a feeling that kidney disease are pretty much irreversible. That's not essentially true.' Along with eating healthy foods, Dr. Reddy said regular check-ups with your doctor, and simple urine or blood tests can help a patient detect kidney disease early on or even reverse it. A healthy kidney is essential for keeping the body regulated, Dr. Reddy said. 'Filters the toxins out,' he said. 'Keeps the good stuff in. That's a very important function. Its like any other filter where you should not be losing the important elements that are needed for our body to be lost in the urine.' For more on how to keep your kidney healthy, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
