Get to know your heart this Heart Month

High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure; 1 in 4 people with kidney failure have it because of high blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure means that your body is working too hard to pump your blood. Over time this can damage your kidneys and cause heart attacks, heart failure or strokes. It's important to take steps to control your blood pressure as part of living a healthy life.

Discover ways you can know a healthier you by taking care of your heart and your kidneys. >>

Sodium plays many important roles in the way our bodies function. The sodium found naturally in foods is plenty to maintain healthy levels in our body, but salt added to processed foods or to home cooked meals can quickly add up in an unhealthy way. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is the second leading cause of kidney disease.

If you have high blood pressure, eating low- or no-added-salt foods can help to lower it. And if you have kidney disease, taking steps to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level may help keep your kidney disease from getting worse.

Learn more about sodium and find kidney-friendly, low-sodium recipes on Kidney Kitchen™. >>

Are you an avid gamer? Do you vlog about your kidney disease journey? Have you ever wondered how you can use your online following to give back?

You may be able to turn your passion for live streaming into a KidneyNation fundraiser! We are hosting a streamathon that kicks off Friday, March 27th at 2 p.m. EST and runs all weekend and are currently looking for streamers who are interested in filling a slot. If this sounds up your alley or if you are just interested in watching the event, we would love to hear from you.

Get in touch with Kendall Zeswitz, Manager of Community Engagement >>

More than 1 in 20 of all kidney transplants in the U.S. last year were made possible with financial assistance from AKF. Of the more than 84,000 AKF grant recipients in 2019, 1,400 received lifesaving kidney transplants and post-transplant care.

AKF is also leading the charge to make it easier to become a living kidney donor. In 2019, nine states enacted legislation spearheaded by AKF that will protect living kidney donors from insurance discrimination and make it possible for them to have job-protected leave. In 2020, AKF is working in 15 states to champion this legislation, in addition to actively supporting the federal Living Donor Protection Act of 2019.

Your support makes all of this and more possible. By chipping in today, you can help make 2020 an historical year for kidney transplants.

Donate now >>

Save the date!

March is Kidney Month, a nationally recognized month that focuses on fighting kidney disease.

Join AKF next month for Kidney Month and on World Kidney Day, March 12, to learn more about how to keep your kidneys healthy and how to educate others about kidney disease.