As a patient services advocate who works with potential transplant recipients at a major hospital, I spend a lot of time correcting misperceptions and educating patients about what they need to do to get on the transplant list. As a kidney transplant recipient, I have a lot of “inside knowledge” that I readily share with anyone who will listen. READ MORE >>

Whenever the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Komets professional hockey team took to the ice in December, they played to win—both to improve their standing in the ECHL league and to raise money to help kidney patients across the country. READ MORE >>

There are two sides to every kidney donation story—the selfless decision made by the donor and the priceless gift received by the recipient. Richard Patterson III almost lost his father to cancer, so when his dad’s remaining kidney failed, he stepped up to become a living donor in June 2014. READ MORE >>

There are two sides to every kidney donation story—the selfless decision made by the donor and the priceless gift received by the recipient. Richard Patterson, Jr. received a kidney from his son, Richard Patterson III, in June 2014. In Part 1, Richard Patterson, Jr. tells his story of cancer and kidney failure, and eventually receiving his transplant. READ MORE >>

Just one person has the power to save or enhance the lives of more than 50 people through organ, eye and tissue donation. In his Kidney Today blog post, UNOS Chief Medical Officer clears up some misconceptions about organ donation. READ MORE >>

This is the 20th year of the American Kidney Fund Calendar Kids Art Contest for children affected by kidney disease. We recently caught up with a few of our past calendar cover artists to see what they’ve been up to. READ MORE >>

UNOS is adjusting its kidney allocation policy to better account for the biologic needs of people with immune system sensitivity and maximize the use of kidneys. In his Kidney Today blog post, Richard Formica, M.D., chair of the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Transplantation Committee, explains the new criteria. READ MORE >>

Among minorities, the need for kidney transplants is disproportionately high, so donations are essential. Anthony Brown, a patient-advocate with American Kidney Fund, shared his story about donating one of his kidneys to his mother last year on World Kidney Day. Anthony is one of many inspirational advocates in the American Kidney Fund network who has donated a kidney to a friend or family member. READ MORE >>

It’s National Minority Donor Awareness Week! The need for organ donors, especially among ethnic minorities, has never been greater. Today, more than 100,000 people are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in the United States—of which more than 63 percent are ethnic minorities. READ MORE >>

Last year on World Kidney Day, when I was 25 years old, I donated my left kidney to my mother. In my experience, donating a kidney to my mother was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The reality is you only need one kidney to survive. And for most kidney patients, a kidney transplant is a chance for a better life. READ MORE >>