National AMKD Awareness Day: April 30, 2024
Mark your calendars for National AMKD Awareness Day: April 30, 2024.
Your family history plays a big role in your health — especially when it comes to kidney disease. If you're of central or west African descent, you might have genetic variants that can cause severe kidney disease.
Everyone has a gene called APOL1, but some people of central and west African descent have been shown to have APOL1 variants that increase the risk for severe kidney disease and kidney failure. Kidney disease linked to these variants is called APOL1 - mediated kidney disease (AMKD). We're making it a major priority to raise national awareness of this condition. We're gearing up for the first national AMKD Awareness Day on April 30, 2024!
Stay updated on AMKD Awareness Day plans and how you can get involved in ways both big and small
AMKD Awareness Day will help people better understand their risk and what they can do to protect their health.
In upcoming months, AKF will provide resources and ways to engage and raise awareness of the important connection between APOL1 gene variants and kidney disease.
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To learn more about the variations in the APOL1 gene that can increase the chance of severe kidney disease among people who have Western and Central African ancestry, including people who identify as Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, and/or Latina/Latino, please visit AKF's online resource on APOL1-mediated kidney disease. You'll find the basics on AMKD, videos from people sharing their experiences with AMKD, a free genetic counselor guide, information for health professionals and more.
