American Kidney Fund Hosts Pairings with Purpose Event in Massachusetts to Raise Funds for Living Kidney Donors

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Sept. 17, 2026) – Today, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) is hosting Pairings with Purpose at the Catalyst Restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with proceeds benefitting AKF's Living Donor Assistance Program® in Massachusetts. This program helps increase access to living kidney donation by providing financial aid to living kidney donors in the United States for out-of-pocket expenses during the donation process.

Formerly known as Pairings for Prevention, this event brings members of the Boston community together to enjoy food and beverage pairings, network with local industry professionals and learn more about AKF's work to raise awareness about kidney transplant and its efforts to ease the financial burden of giving the gift of life. 

In 2023, AKF launched the Living Donor Assistance Program in Massachusetts in partnership with Matt and Julia Glazier. Since then, the program has provided nearly $200,000 in grants to more than 100 living kidney donors who donated a kidney to a recipient whose evaluation and/or surgery took place in Massachusetts. 

"Donating a kidney to someone in need is a selfless act that should be supported and protected," said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. "We're able to provide financial assistance to living donors in part because of the generosity of the individuals at tonight's event. We are grateful to our attendees and sponsors for their commitment to fighting kidney disease and reducing barriers to living kidney donation." 

There are currently about 110,000 Americans on the organ transplant waiting list, with nearly 90% waiting for a kidney. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, 11 people die every day waiting for a kidney. Receiving a kidney from a living donor is the best treatment option for someone with kidney failure, as living donor transplants generally present fewer complications than deceased donor transplants and typically survive longer than deceased donor organs.

"When I experienced kidney failure in 2021, I was incredibly fortunate that my friend and donor, David Atkins, was financially able to take time off work to donate a kidney to me," said Matt Glazier, the committee chair for this event. "Unfortunately, that is not the case for so many people who want to become donors because they face out-of-pocket costs that add up. My wife Julia and I were proud to pay it forward by teaming up with the American Kidney Fund to launch the David Atkins Fund — now the Living Donor Assistance Program — three years ago. We thank everyone who is attending and supporting tonight's event, as it is their generosity that allows this program to continue providing critical support to the heroes who step up and give the gift of life to someone in need."

AKF thanks the 2026 Pairings with Purpose Planning Committee members:

• Matt Glazier, 2026 committee chair, co-founder of the Living Donor Assistance Program and member of the AKF Board of Trustees
• John P. Butler, president and CEO of Akebia Therapeutics and member of the AKF Board of Trustees
• Dr. Steven Burke, senior vice president of research and development and chief medical officer of Akebia Therapeutics 
• Teresa Curtis, managing director and co-head of the Healthcare Practice at True Search
• Maureen Franco, vice president of corporate communications at Edgewise Therapeutics
• Lydia Landesberg, kidney advocate and member of the AKF Board of Trustees
• Greg Madison, biotech executive
• Pam McNamara, senior healthcare executive and chair-elect of the AKF Board of Trustees

Pairings with Purpose is made possible thanks to the support of Host Sponsors Akebia Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.  

The Living Donor Assistance Program is funded with the generous support of the Friends of David Atkins and the Sievers Family Charitable Fund.

More information on Pairings with Purpose can be found here.