Ambassador spotlight: Jess Walters
Find out what Jess Walters gained by becoming an AKF Ambassador.
Up Next: AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Amy Walker
Advocacy and policy
Learn about how we work with Congress, the administration, federal agencies and state governments to advance legislation and regulatory policies important to kidney patients and their families.
Make Our Advocacy Unstoppable
In 2024, AKF Ambassadors sent over 34,000 emails to elected officials, held almost 850 meetings with lawmakers and helped pass 11 state bills into law. Make a gift today to keep up the momentum with policy wins that transform lives.
Make Our Advocacy Unstoppable
Fui testigo de los tratamientos de diálisis de mi mamá. Ver los gastos, las dificultades logísticas y el desgaste físico que conllevaron me animó a involucrarme con el AKF.
- Jessie Way, embajador del AKF
Where Americans live can affect their ability to give the gift of life
AKF's State of the States: 2025 Living Donor Protection Report Card evaluates each state and the District of Columbia on how well their existing laws encourage living organ donation and reduce barriers for living donors.
Learn about our support for CKD screenings
Our support for CKD screening recommendation stems from concerns about the growing number of people who experience kidney failure and need dialysis or transplantation, the health disparities associated with CKD and the need for a clinical assessment tool for physician use by primary care physicians and other providers when screening for CKD.
Be inspired by our Ambassadors
AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Amy Walker
Learn about AKF Ambassador Amy Walker and find out What made her want to become an AKF Ambassador.
Up Next: AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Christopher Knippers
AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Christopher Knippers
Learn what AKF Ambassador, Christopher Knippers, learned by becoming an Ambassador for the American Kidney Fund.
Up Next: Ambassador spotlight: Leigh-Ann Williams
Ambassador spotlight: Leigh-Ann Williams
Learn what AKF Ambassador, Leigh-Ann Williams, wishes elected officials knew about dialysis patients.
Up Next: AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Frances Ashe-Goins
AKF Ambassador Spotlight: Frances Ashe-Goins
Learn who inspired AKF Ambassador, Frances Ashe-Goins to become involved with the American Kidney Fund.
The American Kidney Fund's more than 36,000 Ambassadors make up our Advocacy Network, and the team plays an important role in our efforts to raise awareness of kidney disease and ensure that every kidney patient has access to quality health care.
We advocate on behalf of more than 815,000 Americans living with kidney failure, the 1 in 7 Americans with kidney disease, and the millions more who are at risk. Our Ambassadors perform a vital role by influencing legislators and thought leaders so that public policy aims to improve the lives of kidney patients. Our Ambassadors also educate communities about kidney disease, its causes, and how to prevent it. Your voice is powerful!
Explore more topics and resources
We are a strong and independent voice advocating for policies that improve access to health care and that strengthen the quality of care for patients with kidney disease. Learn more about our policy agenda.
Download resources to help you advocate for kidney patients including, comment letters, state factsheets and one pages.
Everyone deserves to be as healthy as they can, no matter where they live, what language they speak or the color of their skin. But in kidney disease, there is a disproportionate burden on communities of color.
Our accomplishments in 2024
Thank you to our AKF Ambassadors who make an important difference on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures and in your own community. Together, we fight for policies that improve the lives of kidney patients.
Over 34,000
Emails sent to elected officials
More than 846
Meetings with elected officials
11
State bills signed into law
Únase a nuestra Red de Defensa
La unión hace la fuerza. Más de 36,000 pacientes, familiares, amigos y profesionales de la salud renal comprometidos son embajadores de la AKF. Únase a nuestra Red de Defensa y sea la voz de los pacientes renales en el Capitolio.
Protect Patient and Donor Rights
Behind every policy victory are kidney patients and families whose voices changed the conversation. In 2024 alone, AKF Ambassadors spurred action by sending tens of thousands of messages to lawmakers, meeting face-to-face with elected officials and helping pass legislation that protects kidney patients nationwide.
Your support powers this work. 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to patients and programs, and your gift fuels the nation's most effective kidney advocacy network. Donate to push for more research funding, stronger protections for living donors and greater health equity for every community affected by kidney disease.