Anytime we hear about someone who suffers from a chronic disease, it’s easy to use the disease as a label to describe the person: “There's so and so, she has cancer,” or “He’s a diabetic.” Everyone is guilty of doing this at one time or another, and I have noticed that many doctors unknowingly make this mistake, too. 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 >>

A simple question—“What do you wish others understood about living with kidney disease?”—unleashed a torrent of comments on our Facebook page recently. Kidney disease itself is often invisible until the late stages; once it progresses to kidney failure, patients need dialysis or a transplant to live. People living with kidney disease and kidney failure tell us they often feel that others do not understand what they are going through, both physically and emotionally. READ MORE >>

AKF Advocate Ron Krokey is passionate about spreading the word about kidney disease. He joined 11 other Advocates in Washington, D.C., in March for a series of meetings with legislators. Here’s what he had to say about his experience. READ MORE >>