Fighting on All Fronts for the 1 in 7 American Adults Living With Kidney Disease
“When my health would have been affected by not having the care, the American Kidney Fund allowed me to be able to concentrate without the stress, without the worry, on my best health, being my best me."
AKF helps 1 in 8 U.S. dialysis patients afford their medical care, including Della Major
Over 50 years ago, a small group of friends created a nonprofit that in its first year saved the lives of 79 people with kidney failure, and a mission was born. Today, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) is still fighting for patients and families, driven by the same spirit of compassion and commitment that fueled its founding in 1971.
As the nation’s leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 1 in 7 American adults with kidney disease, the American Kidney Fund (CFC #11404) is dedicated to fighting kidney disease and helping people live healthier lives.
To address the enormous public health threat of kidney disease, AKF fulfills its mission by fighting on all fronts -- offering a complete spectrum of programs and services including prevention outreach, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 8 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.
AKF also invests in clinical research to improve outcomes for kidney patients and fights tirelessly on Capitol Hill for legislation and policies supporting the issues that are important to kidney patients.
- When you join our fight, you change lives.
- You help empower people to prevent kidney disease and slow its progression.
- You make lifesaving health care affordable and accessible for patients.
- You support innovation in education for patients and professionals.
- You promote advances in nephrology research.
- You’re by our side as we fight for patient rights in Congress and across state legislatures.
And you help give patients a voice…patients like Della Major!
Della was a thriving 42-year-old educator with no symptoms of kidney disease. Her kidney disease journey started abruptly. After fainting while teaching a class, she ended up in the ER with a diagnosis of lupus that caused her kidneys to fail. The new normal of dialysis took a toll on Della and her family physically, emotionally and financially, and she almost gave up.
“I’ve always been a fighter. I’m the type of person that believes that ‘no’ is not an option, but at the same time, sometimes fighters get wounds,” Della said.
Inspired by a fellow dialysis patient, she started researching kidney disease and looking into how she could improve her outcomes. She continued dialysis and working until 2016 when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At her doctor’s recommendation, she quit her job. Although Della was doing the best thing for her health, she could no longer afford her health insurance without a source of income. AKF stepped in by covering the full cost of her insurance premium.
“When my health would have been affected by not having the care, the American Kidney Fund allowed me to be able to concentrate without the stress, without the worry, on my best health, being my best me,” Della said.
Della is now an AKF Ambassador and has advocated on behalf of patients with kidney disease on Capitol Hill. Her outlook on life has changed for the better.
Thanks to the support of friends like you, patient journeys like Della’s are possible! We use your support wisely, as one of the nation’s most trusted nonprofit organizations. We continue to spend 97 cents of every donated dollar on programs and services. AKF has an unbroken track record of 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator for more than 20 years.
In addition, the American Kidney Fund has an “A Plus” rating from CharityWatch, adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.
View the charity page:
AKF helps 1 in 8 U.S. dialysis patients afford their medical care, including Della Major
Over 50 years ago, a small group of friends created a nonprofit that in its first year saved the lives of 79 people with kidney failure, and a mission was born. Today, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) is still fighting for patients and families, driven by the same spirit of compassion and commitment that fueled its founding in 1971.
As the nation’s leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 1 in 7 American adults with kidney disease, the American Kidney Fund (CFC #11404) is dedicated to fighting kidney disease and helping people live healthier lives.
To address the enormous public health threat of kidney disease, AKF fulfills its mission by fighting on all fronts -- offering a complete spectrum of programs and services including prevention outreach, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 8 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.
AKF also invests in clinical research to improve outcomes for kidney patients and fights tirelessly on Capitol Hill for legislation and policies supporting the issues that are important to kidney patients.
- When you join our fight, you change lives.
- You help empower people to prevent kidney disease and slow its progression.
- You make lifesaving health care affordable and accessible for patients.
- You support innovation in education for patients and professionals.
- You promote advances in nephrology research.
- You’re by our side as we fight for patient rights in Congress and across state legislatures.
And you help give patients a voice…patients like Della Major!
Della was a thriving 42-year-old educator with no symptoms of kidney disease. Her kidney disease journey started abruptly. After fainting while teaching a class, she ended up in the ER with a diagnosis of lupus that caused her kidneys to fail. The new normal of dialysis took a toll on Della and her family physically, emotionally and financially, and she almost gave up.
“I’ve always been a fighter. I’m the type of person that believes that ‘no’ is not an option, but at the same time, sometimes fighters get wounds,” Della said.
Inspired by a fellow dialysis patient, she started researching kidney disease and looking into how she could improve her outcomes. She continued dialysis and working until 2016 when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At her doctor’s recommendation, she quit her job. Although Della was doing the best thing for her health, she could no longer afford her health insurance without a source of income. AKF stepped in by covering the full cost of her insurance premium.
“When my health would have been affected by not having the care, the American Kidney Fund allowed me to be able to concentrate without the stress, without the worry, on my best health, being my best me,” Della said.
Della is now an AKF Ambassador and has advocated on behalf of patients with kidney disease on Capitol Hill. Her outlook on life has changed for the better.
Thanks to the support of friends like you, patient journeys like Della’s are possible! We use your support wisely, as one of the nation’s most trusted nonprofit organizations. We continue to spend 97 cents of every donated dollar on programs and services. AKF has an unbroken track record of 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator for more than 20 years.
In addition, the American Kidney Fund has an “A Plus” rating from CharityWatch, adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.
View the charity page: