American Kidney Fund Launches KIDNEYNATION, a Community United to Fund the Fight Against Kidney Disease
ROCKVILLE, Md. (PRWEB) September 10, 2015 -- The American Kidney Fund (AKF) today unveiled KIDNEYNATION, its new online community that unites people across the country who are raising funds to support AKF’s nonprofit mission of helping people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives. Members of KIDNEYNATION may create uniquely personal fundraising campaigns that reflect their personalities, their interests and their reasons for funding the fight against kidney disease.
“Through KIDNEYNATION, we’re creating a nationwide fundraising community of like-minded individuals who are committed to making a real difference in the lives of people living with kidney failure,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and chief executive officer of the American Kidney Fund. “So many people feel helpless when friends or loved ones, or they themselves, face kidney disease. By fundraising through KIDNEYNATION, anyone can fight back against this devastating disease.”
Fundraising through KIDNEYNATION will support the people AKF serves through its lifesaving programs. AKF provides treatment-related grants that are helping 1 in 5 of the nation’s dialysis patients maintain access to health care. The organization addresses the enormous public health threat of chronic kidney disease by providing free kidney disease screenings and a range of health education programs and services. AKF was recently named a Top 10 Charity by Charity Navigator for its financial stewardship of donated dollars.
Members of KIDNEYNATION may choose to raise funds in a variety of ways. The KIDNEYNATION platform provides tools to support four categories of fundraising:
• Celebrate: dedicating special occasions and milestones like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations to the American Kidney Fund. Instead of buying gifts, friends and family members make online donations.
• Honor: honoring a loved one, or creating a memorial page for someone special who has passed away.
• Create: establishing a fundraising event of any kind at all—bake sales, yard sales, car washes, social activities, or anything related to a member of KIDNEYNATION’s interests or hobbies. Members can set the time and location of their events to suit their needs.
• Compete: raising funds while participating in organized athletic events such as a marathon or cycling race or creating an event
The first members of KIDNEYNATION have set up a wide variety of fundraising campaigns and events. A Georgia dialysis patient is selling t-shirts and asked friends to donate to AKF as he celebrates his 50th birthday. A Pennsylvania group used a medieval-style battle to raise funds in honor of two members who have kidney disease. A Virginia man whose brother is living with kidney failure is organizing a lacrosse tournament to raise awareness of kidney disease and funds for AKF.
A Maryland woman whose husband has kidney disease has set up a campaign in his honor, saying, “Since I'm not able to fight my husband's kidney disease for him, I decided to fight the only way I can, by collecting donations for the American Kidney Fund.”
The KIDNEYNATION community has its own Facebook page, where members can exchange ideas, share successes and get tips and encouragement for their fundraising efforts.
To learn more about KIDNEYNATION, visit http://www.KIDNEYNATION.org.
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About the American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund is dedicated to ensuring that every kidney patient has access to health care, and that every person at risk for kidney disease is empowered to prevent it. As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization serving people with kidney disease, AKF has helped more than 1 million low-income dialysis patients’ access lifesaving medical care since its founding in 1971. Last year, AKF helped 1 in 5 of the nation’s dialysis patients pay for their treatment-related expenses, providing grants to more than 84,000 people in all 50 states. Thirty-one million Americans are living with kidney disease, and 1 in 3 are at risk. To address this enormous public health threat, AKF provides many vital programs and services, including public and professional health education materials and courses, the Kidney Action Day® community outreach program, a nationwide Advocacy Network, and a toll-free health information HelpLine (866.300.2900). AKF depends on the generosity of the American public to carry out its mission. Spending 97 cents of every donated dollar on programs and services, AKF consistently receives the highest ratings from the nation’s charity watchdog groups.
For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with AKF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Alice Andors, American Kidney Fund, http://www.kidneyfund.org, +1 (240) 292-7053, [email protected]
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