NKF Expands THE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE to 15 More Key U.S. Markets
New partnership with Ģý Foundation to bring in-persontrainings to help kidney patients find a living donor
New York, NY Ģý June 18, 2019 ĢýIn a life-saving leap for(BABG) platform, designed to increase kidney transplantation and living donation, thehas expanded its BABG trainings to 15 additional markets across the country, thanks to a new partnership with the
The FMCF is providing substantial support to NKF to expandoutreach and in-person trainings, while promoting the program in Fresenius Kidney Care dialysis centers around the country. Since 2017, BABG has providedfreenationwide training and tools that help kidney patients and families find a living donor. In-person trainings teach kidney patients, and their family and friends, how to share their story and make a Ģýbig askĢý to their friends, loved ones, or community to consider making a Ģýbig give,Ģý a living kidney donation.
Patients, their families, and prospective donors are the collective focus of BABG. In a recent PSA series developed by NKF, kidney transplant patient Alan says: ĢýMy wife Aisha and I followed the advice, reached out to our social networks to find a donor, and I had a successful kidney transplant. I am so thankful to my donor and to NKF for helping me find my way to her.Ģý.
The new partnership with FMCF will substantially increase existing efforts by NKF to get BABG in front of as many qualified patients and their families as possible. It also will help advance NKFĢýs goal to ultimatelyeliminatethe kidney transplant waitlist.
ĢýThe Ģý FoundationĢýs generosity, and helping us to expand THE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE programs by sharing the information at their dialysis locations, shows a shared and deep commitment to improving and saving the lives of kidney patients,Ģý said Kevin Longino, NKF CEO and a kidney transplant patient for nearly 15 years. ĢýTHE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE at NKF has been a game changer. We encourage patients who are scared, overwhelmed, and frankly, too humble to ask someone to give them a kidney, to let us show them how.Ģý
The FMCF strives to help people understand the life-saving power of kidney transplantation by focusing on educating patients, reaching prospective donors, and mobilizing the medical community. The FMCF is committed to empowering people living with kidney disease to advocate on behalf of their own health.
ĢýWe support the National Kidney FoundationĢýs THE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE program because we want all people living with chronic kidney disease to have the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life,Ģý said Bill Valle, CEO of Ģý North America and President of the FMCF. ĢýOur goal is to ensure that everyone impacted by kidney disease has access to the right treatment at the right time Ģý including transplant, home dialysis, and in-center dialysis Ģý giving them their lives back.Ģý
The FMCF is supporting and promoting NKFĢýs BABG platform in the following markets with in-person workshops to be held throughout 2019: Charleston, SC; Charleston, WV; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; El Paso, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Minneapolis, MN; Columbia, MO; Orange County, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Washington, DC; and Worcester, MA. For information about events as they are scheduled, visit
Ģý the Ģý Foundation
The Ģý FoundationĢýs mission is to raise awareness of kidney disease and transplantation as a lifesaving solution. Through partnerships and financial support of innovative programs and solutions; the Foundation aims to change the trajectory of kidney disease for patients and communities. The Foundation was established in 2018 by Ģý North America, the premier healthcare company focused on providing the highest quality integrated care to people with renal and other chronic conditions.
Ģý Kidney Disease
In the United States 30 million adults are estimated to haveĢýand most arenĢýt aware of it. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease.include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end stage renal disease (kidney failure).
More than 726,000Americans have irreversible kidney failure, or, and need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. And 500,000patients receive dialysis at least three times per week to replace kidney function. Nearly 100,000 Americans are on the waitlist for a kidney transplant right now. Depending on where a patient lives, the average wait time for a kidney transplant can be upwards of three to seven years.not only saves lives, it saves money.
Ģý National Kidney Foundation Living Organ DonationResources
platform includes in-person trainings, direct patient and caregiver support through our toll-free help line 855-NKF-CARES, peer mentoring from a fellow kidney patient or a living donor, online communities, an advocacy campaign to remove barriers to donation, and a multi-media public awareness campaign.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information about NKF visit.
