American Kidney Fund Launches FindHelp Tool to Connect People With Kidney Disease to Community Resources and Social Services

ROCKVILLE, Md. (June 28, 2023) - The American Kidney Fund (AKF) announced today that it has partnered with findhelp, an online social care network, to match people with kidney disease, caregivers and renal professionals with resources and social services in their local communities.

Surveys conducted as part of AKF's ongoing work with its Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project, which seeks to improve understanding of how undiagnosed or misdiagnosed causes of kidney disease directly impact patient care and outcomes, have shown a substantial need among patients to be connected to resources that will help them on their journey toward a complete kidney disease diagnosis.  

Using AKF's new Community Resource Finder, powered by findhelp, users may enter their zip code so that they can be directed to a comprehensive list of local or regional programs broken into categories such as food, housing, care and transit. 

"The high cost and all-consuming nature of kidney disease – particularly kidney failure — can be burdensome for so many who may have challenges meeting essential needs such as maintaining safe housing, having access to healthy foods and more," said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. "At AKF, we work every day to ensure people impacted by kidney disease are not alone in their fight. The findhelp tool is a useful addition to this critical effort and will help people connect with additional services and supports they may need to live healthier lives."

Millions of people a year visit AKF's website, KidneyFund.org, searching for educational resources, tools and information to support their journey with kidney disease. Last year, AKF provided financial assistance to nearly 75,000 dialysis and transplant patients so that they did not have to choose between paying rent or medical bills and getting treatment. The new Community Resource Finder, accessible from AKF's website to anyone and within the AKF Grants Management System for registered kidney patients, will provide links to organizations and resources that can assist with kidney community member's unmet needs. 

The UCKD Project is made possible thanks to support from Title Sponsors Sanofi and Novartis; Lead Sponsors Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Travere Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals; and Champion Sponsors Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease and Natera.