National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund provides direct financial assistance to kidney patients in need, and education to those with and at risk for kidney disease.

The Kidney Fund was founded in 1971, to help a single individual with kidney failure pay for dialysis. Thirty-five years later, the Fund has become the leading source of direct financial aid to chronic kidney disease patients across the nation. In 2005, the Fund served more than 62,000 patients, distributing nearly 120,000 grants totaling over $63.5 million.

The American Kidney Fund educates the public about the prevention, causes, treatment and psycho-social aspects of kidney disease and promotes organ donation.

The Kidney Fund also seeks to enhance the care of renal patients by conducting quality educational programs for nephrology professionals and awarding clinical research fellowships.

About the condition(s):

Chronic kidney disease develops when the kidneys permanently lose most of their ability to remove waste and maintain fluid and chemical balances in the body. This process can develop rapidly — within 2 to 3 months — or slowly, over 30 to 40 years. The severity of chronic kidney disease depends on how well the kidneys filter wastes from the blood.