What Is Kidney Advocacy and Why Is It So Important?

What is a kidney advocate? 

Generally, an advocate is someone who actively supports, defends, or promotes a particular cause or idea. Advocacy involves using one's voice to bring about positive change, raise awareness, and influence opinions or decisions in the policy arena, either at the local, state, or federal level (or all three!). 

A kidney advocate can be anyone. They could have a personal connection to kidney disease or be a family member, caretaker, dear friend, or a provider who has seen the effects of kidney disease and wants to make a positive change. They could have no personal or professional connection at all! All our advocates need is a passion for making a difference.

How Kidney Advocates Affect Change

1. Taking Action

Advocates can take action on a wide array of issues facing the kidney community. We’re working towards better access to diagnostic testing, protecting living organ donors from discrimination, and ensuring kidney funding keeps pace with kidney disease. Having an increasing number of advocates participate in our actions conveys a powerful message to their representatives, thereby enhancing the strength of our collective voice. 

2. District Meetings 

We believe that change starts with your voice. The experiences of those affected by kidney disease are uniquely powerful ways to demonstrate the urgency behind the kidney health agenda. While meeting with members of Congress may sound intimidating, we provide all the talking points and training you’ll need to confidently meet with them. 

3. Kidney Patient Summit 

Representatives from kidney organizations and advocates from across the nation unite during our annual Kidney Patient Summit, orchestrated and guided by the National Kidney Foundation’s government relations team. During the summit, these dedicated advocates for kidney health enlighten their elected lawmakers and the staff that work for them on the significance of safeguarding living organ donors; expanding funding for federal kidney disease awareness, education, and research initiatives; and enhancing the availability of home dialysis options.

4. State Outreach 

Advocates engage not only with federal representatives but also establish connections with legislators at the state level (who often go on to hold elected office at the federal level later in their career). The work of Voices for Kidney Health Advocates has led to enacting Living Donor Protection Act legislation in 31 states and counting. Additionally, our state agenda includes the establishment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) task forces, to help formulate additional policy solutions, and tax credit bills that incentivize employers and their employees to become living organ donors and give the gift of life.