Educational, Advocacy & General Resource Sites
American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
The AAKP is a national nonprofit organization founded by kidney patients for kidney patients. Their goal is to educate and improve the health and well-being of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, those on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and transplant recipients.
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
The AKF leads the nation in providing charitable assistance to dialysis patients who need help with the costs associated with treating kidney failure. The AKF website also provides information and resources on kidney disease.
Arteriovenous Fistula First
The Fistula First mission is to improve the survival and quality of life of hemodialysis patients by optimizing vascular access selection to lower infection, hospitalization and mortality rates while preserving vital Medicare resources. Their focus is to increase AV fistula placement and use in suitable hemodialysis patients.
Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC)
DPC is working to improve the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. They are a nationwide, nonprofit, patient-led dialysis organization with membership open only to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and their families.
Home Dialysis Central
Home Dialysis Central is a one-stop, online source of up-to-date information about home dialysis – in all its forms – for people with kidney disease, their families, and the healthcare professionals who provide kidney disease care.
Home Dialyzors United
Home Dialyzors United is a nonprofit patient organization whose mission is to support and advocate for home dialysis. Their initiatives include educational webinars, an annual Meet-up & Conference, and online support to home dialyzors.
Kidney School
Kidney School is a comprehensive online education program for people who want to learn how to manage and live with chronic disease (stages 3-5). The modules help people learn what to expect and what questions to ask, and provides tools patients need to self manage their care so they can stay healthier and keep doing the activities they enjoy.
Life Options
Life Options is a program of research, research-based education, and outreach with a mission to help people live long and live well with kidney disease. All of the material presented is reviewed by a national panel of doctors, researchers, patients, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and ESRD Network directors.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC)
The NKUDIC is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and was established to increase knowledge and understanding about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system. The NKUDIC works closely with a panel of representatives ranging from Federal agencies to voluntary organizations to identify and respond to informational needs.
National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
The NKF is a major voluntary nonprofit health organization which is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals as well as families affected by kidney disease, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. They have a simple vision: to enhance the lives of everyone with, at risk of or affected by kidney disease.
Renal Support Network (RSN)
RSN is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Their mission is to help patients by educating and empowering them (and their family members) to take control of the course and management of the disease.
Disease Sites - Primary Cause or Co-Morbidity
Alport Syndrome
The Alport Syndrome Foundation is a volunteer-led organization formed by concerned families and friends affected by this disease that want to make a difference. Their mission is to educate and support patients and their families with the goal of funding research to find more effective treatment protocols and a cure for Alport Syndrome.
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
ADA leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes. They fund research, deliver services to communities, provide objective and credible information, and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
American Heart Association (AHA)
The AHA’s mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all that they do and hope to accomplish.
Lupus Foundation of America (LFA)
The Lupus Foundation of America is the oldest and largest national nonprofit voluntary health organization focused on improving the quality of life for people with lupus. Through their programs of research, education, and advocacy, the LFA is leading efforts to bring national attention to the disease and build support for the needs of those affected by it.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation
The foundation’s mission is to promote programs of research, advocacy, education, support and awareness of PKD. Their goal is to discover treatments and a cure for PKD, and to improve the lives of all it affects.
The NephCure Foundation (Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS)
The NephCure Foundation is the primary source of information regarding Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Nephrotic Syndrome. The foundation is dedicated to educating the public, raising awareness, and supporting research of these two diseases.