On Tuesday, in honor of the nation's first APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day, AKF President and CEO LaVarne Burton moderated a panel about AMKD at the 2024 National Minority Quality Forum Leadership Summit. Dr. Margaret Collins, nephrologist with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Barbara Harrison, a genetic counselor and assistant professor at Howard University, provided an overview of AMKD and genetic testing. Additionally, Donor Network West CEO and President Janice Whaley illustrated the ways in which health disparities encountered by people of color affect the community's ability to receive transplants or donate organs. AKF Ambassador Emani McConnell-Brent also joined the panel to share her experience living with AMKD and explain why awareness of this rapidly-progressing kidney disease is so important. #APOL1Aware
American Kidney Fund
Philanthropic Fundraising Services
Rockville, MD 9,806 followers
Fighting on all fronts for a world without kidney disease.
About us
Recently named to NonProfit Times list of ‘2021 Best Nonprofits to Work' The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million 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. Through programs of prevention, early detection, financial support, disease management, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and holds the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Diversity We embrace the fact that each of our employees and volunteers comes to AKF with unique perspectives and backgrounds. We celebrate the diversity of our team, and we treat each member of our team with respect. AKF represents 37 million Americans with kidney disease and millions more who are at risk, and we involve and reflect the populations we serve. Equity We strive to ensure that everyone at AKF is treated fairly and has the opportunity to grow, contribute and develop professionally. We are committed to an environment of nondiscrimination in all its forms at all levels throughout our organization and programs as reflected in our nondiscrimination policies. We welcome job applicants of all backgrounds and provide a fair and equitable review of their applications. Inclusion Each of our employees and volunteers brings to the organization a unique cultural background, life experience, educational background, work history, talents and expertise, and we deeply value this diversity in our team. It is critically important to us that every AKF team member is genuinely valued and respected by colleagues & by the organization itself.
- Website
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http://www.kidneyfund.org/
External link for American Kidney Fund
- Industry
- Philanthropic Fundraising Services
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Rockville, MD
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1971
- Specialties
- Financial support to kidney patients, Kidney health education, Kidney disease prevention outreach, and Advocacy
Locations
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Primary
11921 Rockville Pike
Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852, US
Employees at American Kidney Fund
Updates
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📥 SUBMISSIONS OPEN! Do you have or know a personal kidney hero? The Hero of Hope award is one of the highest honors given to a kidney patient in the United States. Tell us about your kidney hero and how they have made an extraordinary contribution in the kidney community today by submitting your 2024 Hero of Hope nomination: https://bit.ly/3Qrw13Y The 2024 American Kidney Fund Hero of Hope will be honored at our annual national gala, The Hope Affair, in Washington, D.C. on October 8.
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AKF Ambassadors are doing extraordinary work in their communities, and our recently launched ACE Awards program provides Ambassadors with funding for educational events on kidney disease. Learn about three of our awardees from our first year of the ACE program: https://bit.ly/3JoScUF
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🪴What roots are you planting this spring? By creating a free estate plan with our partner, FreeWill, you can plant a strong foundation for your future and the future of the American Kidney Fund. Get started here: https://bit.ly/4aGcDbN
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The 37 Mile Challenge in May is happening NOW! Join our virtual community of inspiring people all getting active and raising funds to help the 37 million Americans with kidney disease, like Joe, Senior Business Analyst/QA Team Lead, with Orases! Q: How does your work with Orases tie into AKF? What impact did you feel it had? A: "I worked with AKF to discover what version 2.0 of their GMS platform would need to look like and how it would work. This is the platform that is used to provide grant funding to dialysis and transplant patients. It allows AKF to configure grant programs that patients and renal professionals can apply for." Q: Do you have a personal connection to kidney disease? A: "I wanted to participate in the 37 Mile Challenge because I am a kidney donor myself and have seen the impact of dialysis on loved ones." Q: What do you wish others knew about AKF and the 37 Mile Challenge? A: “I’d like people to know more about the difficulties that those 37 million people experience and understand more about the impact that dialysis has on individuals and their families.” Thank you, Joe, for your support and for helping us spread awareness about the 37 million Americans with kidney disease. And, thank you, Orases for your support of the Spring 37 Mile Challenge! Join Joe and join the 37 Mile Challenge in May: https://bit.ly/4aBLqHh
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As we come to an end of the nation’s first APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease Awareness Day, we would like to thank Vertex Pharmaceuticals for generously supporting AMKD Awareness Day, Natera for additional support, as well as the following organizations that are helping to raise awareness about AMKD: Acclinate, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), American Society of Nephrology, Arkana Laboratories, The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Black Health Matters, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, Glomerular Disease Study and Trial Consortium, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Kidney Health Initiative, Kindness for Kidneys International, Inc, Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, National Association of Genetic Counselors, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. HQ, National Health Council, National Kidney Foundation, National Minority Quality Forum, National Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group, NephCure, PALADIN of Tufts University, Renal Pathology Society, Renal Physicians Association Save the date for April 29, 2025!
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American Kidney Fund reposted this
Today marks the first annual APOL-1 Awareness Day, a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of organizations such as American Kidney Fund and NephCure, whose dedication to kidney health and patient advocacy lights our path forward. 🌟 Over the past month, we've explored the powerful stories that unite us, engaged with the science that educates us, and amplified the advocacy that strengthens us. I am grateful for the engagement and support from each of you—your involvement has fueled essential conversations and spread crucial knowledge. Reflecting on our journey, it’s clear that understanding our genetic risks is about embracing our heritage and safeguarding our future. Let's maintain the momentum we've built and continue to advocate for health, awareness, and change. A big thank you to all who have listened, contributed, and participated in this campaign. Let’s keep moving forward and driving positive change. #APOL1Aware #AMKDAwarenessDay #HealthAdvocacy 🌍 #AmericanKidneyFund #Nephcure Joshua Albright Jaime Albright
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American Kidney Fund reposted this
Today, we celebrate a very huge milestone —The first annual APOL1 Awareness Day! 🌍💚 This day marks our collective dedication to raising awareness and understanding of APOL1-related Kidney Diseases, particularly within communities of African descent. I recently returned from an inspiring trip to West Africa, where I had the incredible opportunity to engage directly with local communities and other Kidney health experts about the importance of genetic health awareness. It was a profound experience to share knowledge and learn from the stories of those most affected by APOL1 genetic risks. My trip was a huge blessing and I will always remember the beautiful souls I connected with and the love and support they gave me. My journey does not stop here. As we observe this important day, let’s renew our commitment to health education and advocacy. I want to thank the American Kidney Fund, NephCure and KDIGO for helping me spread so much awareness for APOL1 this month. Together, we can make a lasting difference and move mountains in the Kidney World🌍 #APOL1Aware #AmericanKidneyFund #Nephcure #AKF #HealthAdvocacy
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American Kidney Fund reposted this
Today we recognize the nation's first AMKD Awareness Day! The American Kidney Fund is raising awareness of APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), a type of kidney disease associated with variants in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene that is linked to an increased risk for rapidly progressing kidney disease in people of west or central African ancestry. Find out more about AMKD and how you can get involved by visiting https://lnkd.in/gEzX4km4 #healthequity #nationalminorityhealthmonth #NMHM2024
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American Kidney Fund reposted this
Patient Advocate, Kidney Transplant Survivor, Writer, and Public Speaker for Chronic Kidney Disease and Organ Donation
Today we recognize the nation’s first AMKD Awareness Day! People who are from or have ancestors from west or central Africa are at increased risk of having a mutation in one or both of the genes that causes APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). It is estimated that 13% of Black Americans have two mutations of the APOL1 gene, and these individuals have a 1 in 5 chance of developing a rapidly progressing form of genetic kidney disease. Become #APOL1Aware by learning more about AMKD and join the @American Kidney Fund in AMKD Awareness Day: kidneyfund.org/APOL1aware American Kidney Fund Vertex Pharmaceuticals