Kidney Action Week has become a can’t-miss event. Whether you work with people with kidney disease, have kidney disease yourself, or are a friend or family member of someone who does, this week is a great opportunity for you to catch up on everything you need to know about kidney health. It is free and 100% virtual, so you can attend from anywhere you happen to be.
The 2023 Kidney Action Week will be taking place from March 20-24 – what better way to celebrate Kidney Month!
Welcoming Remarks from the American Kidney Fund
LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund
Every year, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are newly diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A diagnosis of CKD often comes as a shock, as well as a mix of emotions and big changes to your daily life. Kidney disease may not affect everyone in the same way, as each person living with CKD can have many different experiences. However, there are common things that you can do to live your best life even with kidney disease. In this session, speakers will share their personal journeys with kidney disease and the steps they took after receiving a diagnosis. The session discussion will focus on common emotions after a diagnosis, learning more about your current stage of CKD and how to work with your care team.
Moderator:
Ken Sutha, MD, PhD, Pediatric Nephrologist, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and American Kidney Fund Ambassador
Speakers:
Melissia Baker, American Kidney Fund Ambassador
Della Major, American Kidney Fund Kidney Health Coach and American Kidney Fund Ambassador
Choosing healthy snacks can be challenging, especially if you are living with kidney disease. In this video, certified dietitian, Amanda Lane, will show you how to make simple snacks that are both kidney-friendly and delicious.
This video is made possible thanks to the generous support of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker:
Amanda Lane, MS, RD, CDCES, Renal Dietitian, Healthful Lane Nutrition, LLC
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, which means many people have the challenge of managing both conditions at the same time. Until recently, there have been few treatments to delay the progression of chronic kidney disease and help with diabetes. In this session, doctors and a patient advocate will discuss and answer your questions about new medicines that have shown to improve the health of people living with diabetic kidney disease. You will learn about treatments for diabetic kidney disease such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 agonists. While these medicines have been highly effective, too many people who need them are not taking them. The panelists will discuss reasons for this and will provide useful tips for talking to your doctor about whether these new treatments are right for you.
Moderator:
Tamara Ruggiero, Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Amy Mottl, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
Susanne Nicholas, MD, MPH, PhD, Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles
Patrick O. Gee, PhD, Founder & CEHD, iAdvocate, Inc.
As a doctor who specializes in kidneys, your nephrologist is the lead provider on your healthcare team in managing your kidney disease. Nephrologists make the key decisions about treating your kidney disease, including which medications you should take, monitoring your kidney function and helping you manage common side effects of kidney disease such as high potassium and anemia. In this session, two nephrologists, Dr. Kirk Campbell and Dr. Ashte Collins will answer your questions about kidney disease and conditions related to kidney disease, as well as provide insight on how to best work with your nephrologist for staying as healthy as possible with kidney disease.
Moderator:
Melanie Paris, M.A., MPH, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Kidney Disease Education, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Kirk Campbell, MD, Professor of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Ashte Collins, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
In this video, featuring nephrologist and cooking enthusiast, Dr. Blake Shusterman, also known as “The Cooking Doc”, you will learn how to create a kidney-friendly meal that is not only appetizing, but quick and easy on the wallet. After watching this cooking demo by “The Cooking Doc”, you’ll be ready to roll up your sleeves and get cooking.
This video is made possible thanks to the generous support of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker:
Dr. Blake “The Cooking Doc” Shusterman, MD, Nephrologist and author of “The Cooking Doc's Kidney-Healthy Cooking: A Modern 10-Step Guide to Preventing and Managing Kidney Disease”
While there are 37 million people in the United States living with kidney disease, many are never told the true cause of their kidney disease. The panelists will discuss why it is critical for you and your doctor to know the cause of your kidney disease, as it impacts treatment decisions for both the individual and healthcare provider. This panel will also discuss genetic testing: its value, the pros and cons and resources that can guide people living with kidney disease through the process.
This session is made possible thanks to the generous support of the sponsors of the American Kidney Fund's Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project.
Moderator:
Jemetra Collins, Director of Professional Education, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Orlando Gutierrez, MD, Professor and Director, Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Holly Bode, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Kidney Fund
Kevin Schnurr, Associate Director, Alport Syndrome Foundation
There are many benefits associated with receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor, including a shorter wait time and less risk of the new kidney failing. While it can be challenging to find a living kidney donor, there are other options, such as the paired exchange program. This session’s panelists include transplant recipients alongside their donors. They will share their personal experiences of living donation, illustrating multiple ways to find a donor.
Moderator:
Tamara Ruggiero, Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Hannah Graves, LMSW, Transplant Outreach Social Worker, Piedmont Transplant Institute
Jonathon Seidl, Kidney donor
Kenneth Cook, Kidney transplant recipient
Debra Cook, Support person of kidney transplant recipient
Elizabeth Kay, Kidney donor
Camille Hamme, Transplant recipient
Do you know what it is like doing dialysis in a clinic? Find out what life is like for Quenton Gee, who chooses to have his dialysis performed in a clinic rather than at home. This short film captures what a typical dialysis day is for Quenton, as he, his wife, Gabrielle and his little girl, Ariya, candidly share their points of view and experiences.
Speaker:
Quenton Gee, In-Center Hemodialysis Patient
Although dialysis is a lifesaving treatment for people living with kidney failure, it often causes some uncomfortable side effects. Dialysis experts will provide an overview of three common side effects from dialysis: pruritus (itchy skin), weight gain, and restless leg syndrome. In this session, audience members will learn about current treatments available and self-management strategies to live more comfortably with these conditions.
This session is made possible thanks to the generous support of Satellite Healthcare.
Moderator:
Eric Weinhandl, PhD, Senior Director of Analytics and Home Therapies, Satellite Healthcare
Speakers:
Maria Camila Bermudez, MD, Nephrologist, Geisinger Medical Center
Rachel Perlman, MD, FACP, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Michigan Health
Shayan Shirazian, MD, Nephrologist, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Are you considering doing dialysis at home rather than in a clinic? In this short video, Nieltje Gedney, a long-time home dialysis advocate talks about why she chose to do dialysis at home, its benefits and her personal experience.
Speaker:
Nieltje Gedney, Home Dialysis Advocate
Think of the individuals who care for you as part of a team. Each person has a different role to help you meet your health goals. In this session, meet some of the common players on your dialysis care team, such as a nephrologist, renal dietitian, social worker, and care partner. These experts will discuss their unique role on your care team and explain how they all work together to support your health care.
Moderator:
Fiona Lawless, Senior Director, Corporate Engagement, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Maria Camila Bermudez, MD
Nephrologist, Geisinger Medical Center
Antonio Cain, MBA, RD, LDN, CHA, Registered Dietitian, DaVita Kidney Care
Ruth D. Simon, MSW, LCSW
Dialysis Social Worker, Fresenius Kidney Care
Gabrielle Maria Turner- Gee, Care Partner
While kidney transplant is the best treatment for end stage kidney disease, becoming and staying eligible to have a transplant can be a complicated process, and often involves 1-5 years on a waitlist unless a living donor is found. To qualify for a transplant, transplant centers consider multiple factors, including social support, personal finances, and physical and mental health during the wait time. In this session, transplant experts will share about ways to maintain eligibility, including through adjustments to nutrition regime, physical activity, and the importance of attending appointments throughout the different phases of the transplant journey.
Moderator:
Silas Norman, MD, MPH, Nephrologist and Professor of Medicine, University of Michigan
Speakers:
Joseph Keith Melancon, MD, Chief, Transplant Institute and Division of Transplant Surgery at The George Washington University Hospital
Carolyn Feibig, MS, Thoracic Transplant and Advanced Heart Failure Dietitian at INOVA Fairfax Hospital
Evan Dame, Kidney transplant recipient
Renal dietitians are experts in diet and nutrition, specifically for people living with kidney disease. They provide guidance needed to make healthy food and fluid choices every day, while also helping you create a meal plan that best suits your nutritional needs. Hear from two renal dietitians about the importance of personalized kidney nutrition, what to keep in mind when shopping at a grocery store or dining at restaurants, and how you can find a renal dietitian in your area. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask the speakers questions about kidney-friendly eating.
Moderator:
Ryan Woolley, MSPH, RDN, Director of Public Education, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Melanie Betz, MS, RD, CSR, CSG, Founder and CEO, The Kidney Dietitian
Kathy Wong, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, DaVita Kidney Care
As part of a partnership between the American Kidney Fund and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), this video of a VHA renal dietitian will show how to create a kidney-friendly grocery list while on a budget, directed specifically for chronic kidney disease patients.
This video is made possible thanks to the generous support of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker:
Janice E. Powers, M Ed, RDN, CSR, Hampton VA Medical Center
Healthy eating is a critical component of maintaining optimal health outcomes for someone living with kidney disease. There are many elements of a kidney-friendly food and fluid plan and learning how to make healthy choices can feel overwhelming. In this session, a pair of dietitians will provide an overview of key considerations to refer to when developing a kidney-friendly food and fluid plan for people with all stages of CKD.
Moderator:
Melanie Paris, MA, MPH, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Education, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Amanda Lane, MS, RD, CDCES, Renal Dietitian, Healthful Lane Nutrition, LLC
Maria Rodriguez, MS, RD, CSR, LND, Renal Dietitian
Mindfulness is a state of being actively present in the moment. In this video, you will have the opportunity to follow a guided mindfulness exercise to help bring awareness to your feelings and thoughts and release grief, anxiety, depression and other difficult emotions that can be associated with chronic conditions.
Speaker:
Reggie Hubbard, BA, MBA, Active Peace Yoga
While grief is conventionally associated with losing a loved one, it is a broader emotional response that many people living with chronic disease encounter on a regular basis. More specifically, individuals diagnosed with kidney disease (and their loved ones) feel grief in a variety of ways, as they experience psychological, behavioral, and physical loss in their lives upon receiving the initial diagnosis and while adapting to treatments. The panelists will discuss the many dimensions of grief impacting someone living with kidney disease, explain the effect this can have on mental health, and share helpful tools for healing and finding a new balance.
Moderator:
Kevin Fowler, Principal, Voice of the Patient
Speakers:
Elle Lee, LCSW, Owner, Care Therapy Online, Inc.
Julie Keahey Spears, LBSW, CHC, Kidney Disease Health Coach
Studies have shown that dancing can help improve and promote wellness. In this video, dance along with kidney advocate, Tamara Graham, as she shares how Zumba and Bollywood dancing have helped keep her energy high and maintain good health while managing chronic pain and anxiety associated with her kidney disease.
Speaker:
Tamara Graham, MA
Many studies have demonstrated that engaging in regular physical activity improves health outcomes for kidney disease patients, however due to added constraints from dialysis and transplant, it can be challenging to maintain an active lifestyle. Panelists will provide an overview of the benefits of exercise with CKD, share common barriers to exercising for people with kidney disease, and suggest lifestyle adjustments to increase activity.
Moderator:
Joy Hall, MS, MCHES, Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Anoop Sheshadri, MD, MAS, Assistant Professor of Nephrology
Bonnie Kam, Kidney transplant recipient and Kidney Disease Advocate
These live interactive workshops will bring together chefs and dietitians to prepare a renal-friendly dinner. The pairs will give step-by-step instructions on how to make the dish while answering questions from participants.
(This session requires separate registration.) Registration Full
Moderators:
Janelle E. Gonyea, RDN, LD, FNKF, Clinical Dietician
Carolyn Feibig, MS, RD, LD, CCTD, Thoracic Transplant and Advanced Heart Failure Dietitian at INOVA Fairfax Hospital
Kellsey Reed, RDN, LDN, CKD Nutrition LLC
Speakers:
Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, CPT, 360Girls&Women®LLC
Alana E Hunnicutt, Klean Plate Catering LLC
Jennifer Krasilovsky, RD, Community Dietician, Food and Friends
Panelists will discuss the current state of kidney disease in the United States and issue a call to action. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the cause of 3 out of 4 of new kidney failure cases in the United States. The goal of this session is to educate policymakers on how addressing these diseases can reduce the number of people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The briefing will address the links between these diseases as well as a focus on public policy aimed at preventing and managing diabetes and high blood pressure.
Speakers will discuss the link between diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). A cardiologist will speak about high blood pressure, and an endocrinologist will speak about diabetes. Legislative staff from patient organizations that focus on diabetes and heart disease will also discuss their organization’s policy work. We will also have a patient and a member of Congress speak about their own personal experiences.
The number of people in the United States with CKD is growing, and we believe that the federal government must play a bigger role in preventing and treating CKD before people end up in kidney failure. As the number of people with underlying chronic illnesses increases, the number of people with kidney failure will increase. In the past 10 years, the number of people with ESRD increased by 41 percent; In 2009, there were 574,000 people with kidney failure; that number increased to 809,103 in 2019. This trajectory is expected to continue, which means there will be over one million people with ESRD by 2030.
Moderator:
LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Congressman Donald Payne (NJ-10)
Melissia Baker, American Kidney Fund Ambassador
Rob Goldsmith, Director of Advocacy and Policy, Endocrine Society
Neha Pagidipati, MD, MPH, Cardiologist, Duke University
Kristy Anderson, Director, Federal Government Relations, American Heart Association
Deena Adimoolam, MD, Internist and Endocrinologist, Mt. Sinai Hospital
Starting a family while having kidney disease is possible. You will hear from Dr. Jessica Tangren who has dedicated her life to helping women navigate pregnancy and discuss the journey from planning and contraception. Genetic counselor, Dawn Laney, will share how genetic testing is key to helping parents with questions and concerns they may have about inheritance. Lastly, David Rush and Shayla Harris, will provide patient perspectives on becoming a parent while battling chronic kidney disease.
Moderator:
Lauren Andracchio, MPH, Associate Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Shayla Harris, Associate Director of Administration, American Kidney Fund
David Rush, Motivational speaker, patient/doctor consultant, and kidney care advocate
Jessica Sheehan Tangren, MD, MPH, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dawn Laney, MS, CGC, CCRC, Assistant Professor and Genetic Counselor at Emory University, Division of Medical Genetics
Kidney disease can impact individuals of all ages and life stages. This session features a panel of people living with kidney disease who will talk about their experiences managing kidney disease at different points in their lives. Tune into this session to hear inspiring stories as the panelists offer guidance, tips, and support.
Moderator:
Melanie Paris, MA, MPH, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Education, American Kidney Fund
Speakers:
Noah and Tessa Shird, Pediatric kidney patient and American Kidney Fund camper, Mother of Noah Shird
Gitthaline Candie Gagne, American Kidney Fund Ambassador, Retired from USN as a Hospital Corpsman, Retired Certified Surgical Technology
Katie Hallum, Current junior at the University of Oklahoma, Host and reporter for NPR
Speakers:
Leigh Ann Saylor, Founder and Executive Director, Mulligans Living Kidney Donors – How to Share Your Story to Find a Living Donor
Ben Shlesinger, Associate Director of Government Relations, American Kidney Fund – How to Share Your Story for Policy Makers
Tamara Walker, American Kidney Fund Ambassador and Kidney Health Coach – How to Share Your Story to Promote Kidney Disease Awareness
Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop kidney failure and face barriers accessing transplant at many steps in the process. These disparities include being less likely to receive a transplant evaluation, a longer time on the wait list, less likely to be preemptively waitlisted, and less likely to receive a living donor transplant. In this session, the panelists will discuss these health disparities, share underlying reasons for these disparities, and explain recent policy changes which aim to address these disparities.
Moderator:
Bobby Howard, Director of Multicultural Education Program LifeLink of Georgia
Speakers:
Velma Scantlebury, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery at Texas Christian University and Medical School
Tanjala Purnell, PhD, MPH, FASN, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Surgery at Johns Hopkins
Participating in a clinical trial is key to developing safe treatments to prevent, diagnose and treat kidney disease. Although there are many benefits to participating in a clinical trial, minorities are often underrepresented and are not reflected in the diverse group of people that are impacted by kidney disease. In this session, speakers will provide an overview of clinical trials and explain why your participation can lead to groundbreaking advancements in kidney disease treatments. Attendees will not only be able to learn about online resources available to find and enroll in a trial, but also receive a live demonstration of how to navigate Antidote, a user-friendly website that helps patients identify trials in their area.
Moderator:
Burgess Harrison, MBA, Executive Director, National Minority Health Association
Speakers:
Anika Lucas, MD, MTS, Nephrologist, Duke University
Richard Towne, PharmD, RPh, Senior Clinical Informatics Manager, Antidote
Curtis Warfield, Patient Advocate, American Kidney Fund
Since the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative put a national spotlight on the public health issue of kidney disease, there has been an imperative to accelerate innovations for potential treatment options for kidney disease patients. These experts will provide an overview of KidneyX and its role in nephrology innovation, discuss the progress made around new advancements in treatment options, including artificial kidneys and xenotransplantation, and share how these breakthroughs will impact patient care.
Moderator:
Carmen Peralta, MD, MAS, FASN, Chief Clinical Officer at Interwell Health
Speakers:
John R. Sedor, MD, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic College of Medicine Case Western Reserve University
Vineeta Kumar, MD, Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of the Incompatible Transplant Program at University of Alabama, Birmingham
Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, Professor of Medicine, and Co-Director of Center for Dialysis Innovation at University of Washington
Closing Remarks from the American Kidney Fund
LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund
Closed captioning for all Kidney Action Week sessions will be available
on American Kidney Fund’s YouTube channel post event.
Last year, we had over 8,500 people tune in but don’t worry if you missed it, you can read a recap here.
AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with and at risk for kidney disease. From prevention to life after a transplant, AKF supports people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions or need help registering.
These live interactive workshops will bring together chefs and dietitians to prepare a renal-friendly dinner. The pairs will give step-by-step instructions on how to make the dish while answering questions from participants. (This session requires separate registration.)
OPTIONS:
Seared salmon with strawberry salsa, arugula salad, and vegetable turmeric rice recipe
Moderator: Kellsey Reed, RDN, LDN, CKD Nutrition LLC
Speaker: Alana E Hunnicutt, Klean Plate Catering LLC
Sweet and sour chicken with vegetable stir fry recipe
Moderator: Carolyn Feibig, MS, RD, LD, CCTD, Thoracic Transplant and Advanced Heart Failure Dietitian at INOVA Fairfax Hospital
Speaker: Jennifer Krasilovsky, RD, Community Dietician, Food and Friends
Plantain tofu cups recipe
Moderator: Janelle E. Gonyea, RDN, LD, FNKF, Clinical Dietician
Speaker: Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, CPT, 360Girls&Women®LLC
Have you ever wanted to publicly share your journey with kidney disease, but were unsure of the next steps? Get your pen and paper ready and sign up in advance for this live workshop! You will have the opportunity to join one of three Zoom breakout rooms: sharing your story to find a living kidney donor, sharing your story for policy makers, and sharing your story to promote kidney disease awareness. In each breakout room, you will hear from seasoned instructors and learn about different methods for sharing your story and how to tailor it for different audiences. You will also be able to practice drafting your story, receive feedback from your instructor, as well as a helpful tip sheet for sharing your story. (This session requires separate registration.)
Options:
How to Share Your Story to Find a Living Donor
Speaker: Leigh Ann Saylor, Founder and Executive Director, Mulligans Living Kidney Donors
How to Share Your Story for Policy Makers
Speaker: Ben Shlesinger, Associate Director of Government Relations, American Kidney Fund
How to Share Your Story to Promote Kidney Disease Awareness
Speaker: Tamara Walker, American Kidney Fund Ambassador and Kidney Health Coach