Celebrating 75 Years of Kidney Health Progress with the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF), an essential entity in the fight against kidney disease, proudly marks its 75th anniversary, reflecting on a history filled with progress and achievements in kidney health. Established in 1950 by a determined mother unwilling to accept the fate of her ailing son, NKF has worked tirelessly over the decades to transform the landscape of kidney care through advocacy, education, research, and support for patients and families.
From its inception as the Committee for Nephrosis Research, NKF has been a catalyst for change in kidney care and equity across the United States. The organization's journey is marked by several notable milestones:
These milestones underscore NKF's ongoing commitment to improving kidney health and addressing disparities in care.
In 2025, NKF is launching the "75+You" campaign with an ambitious goal: to touch the lives of 75 million individuals by the year 2030. The campaign focuses on three fundamental pillars:
1. Preventing the Preventable: This includes doubling the awareness of adults with kidney disease and increasing the number of at-risk individuals receiving necessary testing.
2. Enabling Patient Mobility: NKF seeks to double the proportion of new dialysis patients transitioning to home dialysis and ensure that patients from underrepresented communities can access these options.
3. Ensuring Access to Transplants for All: The objective is to double kidney donations, both living and deceased, while working to reduce disparities in access and outcomes within the transplant process.
As we celebrate this monumental 75th anniversary, NKF encourages everyone to engage and contribute to its mission during National Kidney Month. Individuals can take the Kidney Risk Quiz to assess their kidney health, become advocates in their communities, or donate to support NKF's vital work. Together, under the banner of "75+You," we can amplify our efforts to innovate kidney care and pave the way for a healthier future for everyone.
Currently, over 37 million adults in the United States are estimated to live with kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Alarmingly, about 90% of these individuals remain unaware of their condition. The National Kidney Foundation highlights that risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history, with certain ethnic groups, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native American populations, facing higher risks.
The National Kidney Foundation is not just celebrating its past; it is looking toward a future where preventable kidney disease can be eliminated, and structural inequities in kidney care are dismantled. For more detailed information or to explore ways to help, please visit NKF's official website at www.kidney.org. Together, we can ensure that kidney health becomes a reality for every individual.
A Legacy Built on Milestones
From its inception as the Committee for Nephrosis Research, NKF has been a catalyst for change in kidney care and equity across the United States. The organization's journey is marked by several notable milestones:
- - 1968: The NKF played a pivotal role in passing the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which led to the distribution of millions of kidney donor cards and raised awareness about organ donation.
- - 1972: The establishment of the Medicare ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease) Benefit marked a significant achievement, ensuring that nearly all Americans with kidney failure received federal coverage, pioneering the only federally funded chronic disease program of its kind.
- - 1984: NKF's influential leadership helped pass the National Transplant Act, setting the foundation for a national transplant system.
- - 1995 and 2002: The launch of the KDOQI® (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) Clinical Practice Guidelines and later, KDIGO®, established critical standards and guidelines that have been instrumental for patient care.
- - 2011: The introduction of the PEERs® Patient Mentoring Program provided crucial support for living kidney donors.
- - 2016: NKF launched CKDintercept® to enhance primary care practices concerning Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
- - 2021: The Race-Free eGFR Equation was developed in collaboration with the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), promoting fairer diagnosis practices for Black patients.
These milestones underscore NKF's ongoing commitment to improving kidney health and addressing disparities in care.
The 75+You Campaign
In 2025, NKF is launching the "75+You" campaign with an ambitious goal: to touch the lives of 75 million individuals by the year 2030. The campaign focuses on three fundamental pillars:
1. Preventing the Preventable: This includes doubling the awareness of adults with kidney disease and increasing the number of at-risk individuals receiving necessary testing.
2. Enabling Patient Mobility: NKF seeks to double the proportion of new dialysis patients transitioning to home dialysis and ensure that patients from underrepresented communities can access these options.
3. Ensuring Access to Transplants for All: The objective is to double kidney donations, both living and deceased, while working to reduce disparities in access and outcomes within the transplant process.
Get Involved
As we celebrate this monumental 75th anniversary, NKF encourages everyone to engage and contribute to its mission during National Kidney Month. Individuals can take the Kidney Risk Quiz to assess their kidney health, become advocates in their communities, or donate to support NKF's vital work. Together, under the banner of "75+You," we can amplify our efforts to innovate kidney care and pave the way for a healthier future for everyone.
The Impact of Kidney Disease
Currently, over 37 million adults in the United States are estimated to live with kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Alarmingly, about 90% of these individuals remain unaware of their condition. The National Kidney Foundation highlights that risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history, with certain ethnic groups, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native American populations, facing higher risks.
Conclusion
The National Kidney Foundation is not just celebrating its past; it is looking toward a future where preventable kidney disease can be eliminated, and structural inequities in kidney care are dismantled. For more detailed information or to explore ways to help, please visit NKF's official website at www.kidney.org. Together, we can ensure that kidney health becomes a reality for every individual.
Topics Health）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.