"What if I do contract this disease? I'm already in a vulnerable state."

Navigating the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic has been tough for everyone. It';s especially hard for dialysis and transplant patients, who are a high-risk group for for severe illness from COVID-19 because they have weakened immune systems.

These kidney patients from across the country wanted to share how COVID-19 has affected their lives, and how relief grants from the AKF Coronavirus Emergency Fund have made a difference.

Hear their stories and learn how to support the fund >>

If you are a patient in need of an emergency grant, ask your social worker or transplant coordinator for information about applying. You can also apply for a grant yourself by visiting gms.KidneyFund.org. (Because the need for assistance far outpaces our available resources, we are placing applicants on a waiting list and providing grants as we raise additional funds.)

An inspiring story of healing through art

Each year, we hold the AKF Calendar Kids Art Contest, an opportunity for kids with kidney disease to express their creativity. Our online community of supporters like you voted to feature Emme Oberbreckling's "Transplant Love" on the cover of the 2020 calendar.

Emme painted "Transplant Love" on the last day she was in the hospital after a successful kidney transplant. She hopes her artwork inspires other kids to keep fighting their disease and to stay positive. We also hope that her artwork brings you some joy during these difficult times and reminds you that we will all get through this together.

Do you know a creative kid? Encourage them to enter the 2021 Calendar Kids Art Contest. We are currently accepting applications for drawings, paintings, dances, poems, songs, and more.

View last year's finalists and enter the contest >>

What to do if you’ve lost your insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of Americans to lose their jobs. About half of Americans rely on their jobs for health insurance benefits, which means millions of people are losing or have already lost their insurance coverage. With the U.S. having the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world, now is the time when Americans need their health insurance coverage the most.

If you recently lost your job, or if you were already uninsured, visit Kidney Today for a list of ways you can get health coverage.

Learn how to get health coverage on Kidney Today >>

Video: Sodium (salt) and your kidneys

Sodium is one of the two electrolytes found in salt. Sodium plays many important roles in the way our bodies function, but it's possible to have too much sodium in your body. With kidney disease, your kidneys may struggle to filter out the extra sodium. This can cause your blood pressure to go up, which can damage your blood vessels, heart and brain.

Check out this video to learn more about the connection between sodium, high blood pressure and kidney disease, and what you can do to keep a healthy level of sodium in your body.

Watch the video >>

Video: Fluid management for dialysis patients

One of the things dialysis patients struggle with is knowing what counts as fluid. This sounds simple, but more things are considered fluid than just what we drink. A fluid is anything that is liquid at room temperature. Watch this video for more facts about fluids and ways you can make sure you are consuming the right amount of fluid each day.

Watch the video >>