Inside AKF's new edition of Kidney Action Week

Building on seven successful years of Kidney Action Week®, held every March during Kidney Month, AKF launched our first fall edition of the event, Kidney Action Week: Future of Kidney Care. From Sept. 8-10, this new virtual conference brought together the kidney community to learn about the latest treatments, research and technologies that are changing what's possible for people living with kidney disease. 

During the three-day event, more than 500 attendees joined us to learn from experts in the field and people living with kidney disease about the latest advancements, innovations and emerging topics in kidney care. In keeping with our theme, "Unpacking the latest in kidney care: from understanding your cause to innovations," attendees explored topics focused on:

• Deeper dive on the causes and conditions of kidney disease
• Learning about clinical trials and advancements 
• Discovering how technology and emerging trends are shaping the future of kidney care

This fall event also introduced new ways for attendees to participate and connect. One of these new features was the Community Corner, a virtual discussion board where attendees could post a message or record a video sharing what they were thinking, learning or looking forward to throughout the week. The event also included live polls during sessions and live captions.

Here's a look at some of the highlights and key takeaways from each day.

New treatments, new possibilities

Day one kicked off with a look at some of the latest advances in understanding and treating kidney disease. From complement-mediated kidney diseases to acute kidney injury and kidney stones, sessions explored how new research is helping us better understand the many causes of kidney disease and opening the door to new treatment possibilities.

One featured session, Advancements in Medicine: The Latest on How to Treat Different Causes of Kidney Disease, took a closer look at how emerging research and medicines are changing treatment for different types of kidney disease. Moderated by Dr. Silas Norman, a nephrologist (kidney doctor) at the University of Michigan, the session featured brief presentations from Dr. Gentzon Hall, a nephrologist at Duke University; Dr. Sayna Norouzi, a nephrologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center; and Dr. Sankar Navaneethan, a nephrologist at Baylor College of Medicine. The panelists shared updates on medicines to treat kidney disease caused by diabetes and IgA nephropathy (IgAN), along with the status of clinical trials investigating new treatments for APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). 

Together, these conversations gave attendees a look at how research, clinical trials and new medicines are creating more possibilities for kidney care.

Inside the clinical trial journey 

Day two put clinical trials in the spotlight, exploring how research can help bring new treatments and advances in kidney care to the people who need them. Clinical trials help researchers determine whether new treatments are safe and effective. They also give people the opportunity to access treatments that are still being studied.

But what is it actually like to take part in a clinical trial? In Understanding the Clinical Trial Journey: Insights from Lived Experiences, AKF Ambassador Curtis Warfield shared his experience participating in a clinical trial after being diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Grant Bonebrake, a patient advocate, and Lisa Bonebrake, executive director of the Alport Syndrome Foundation, also shared their experiences participating in clinical trials for Alport syndrome.

Their stories offered a firsthand look at the clinical trial journey, including the opportunities and challenges that can come with participating in research. The panel also explored the support that can help people navigate the clinical trial process and highlighted the importance of including patient experiences and perspectives in kidney research.

Exploring AI in kidney care

The final day explored how technology and new research trends could shape the future of kidney care. One featured session, How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Can Support Your Kidney Care, brought together a healthcare professional and a person living with kidney disease to share how AI can be used in both clinical care and everyday life. During the session, Dr. Navdeep Tangri, a nephrologist from the University of Manitoba, shared examples of AI applications in clinical care. He also emphasized the importance of keeping people at the center of how these tools are developed and used. Dr. Ken Sutha, an AKF Ambassador and pediatric nephrologist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (LPCH) and Stanford University School of Medicine, offered a firsthand perspective on using AI in everyday life while living with FSGS and having received a kidney transplant. He shared how he uses AI for practical tasks, from planning workouts for the Transplant Games to modifying recipes to support his nutritional needs.

The conversation highlighted both the possibilities and limitations of AI. While these tools can help support care and make everyday tasks easier, they are not a replacement for healthcare professionals. Speakers encouraged attendees to verify information generated by AI and discuss health-related questions with their care team. (Learn more about using AI as tool in this blog post.)

Continue learning 

While this event may be over, there's still plenty to discover! You can watch these sessions and more on AKF's YouTube channel to hear about the latest in kidney care from experts and people living with kidney disease.

Looking for more information about the basics of kidney disease? We're excited to keep learning alongside you at our next spring event, Kidney Action Week: Kidney Care Essentials, coming in March 2027. This event will focus on what you need to know after receiving a kidney disease diagnosis. It will also give an overview of some of the treatment options, including dialysis options and transplant. 

And if you'd like to get involved with AKF, you can become an AKF Ambassador or Kidney Health Coach® today!

Kidney Action Week: Future of Kidney Care was made possible thanks to the support of Event Sponsor U.S. Renal Care.