American Kidney Fund Launches Kidney Month Campaign to Combat Rising Disease Rates

Event summary

  • AKF kicks off Kidney Month on March 1, 2026, with a campaign to raise awareness about kidney disease, affecting 1 in 7 American adults.
  • A 2025 YouGov survey revealed only 51% of those with annual physicals reported their kidneys were checked.
  • AKF’s Kidney Action Week, held March 2-5, 2026, features sessions on diagnosis, treatment, and advancements in kidney disease management.
  • AKF highlights the 'silent killer' nature of kidney disease, with 9 in 10 unaware they have it until later stages.
  • 2026 Corporate Membership class includes Amgen, argenx SE, Novartis, Travere Therapeutics, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

The big picture

AKF’s Kidney Month campaign underscores the growing burden of kidney disease in the U.S., where early detection remains critical yet underutilized. The involvement of major pharmaceutical companies suggests a strategic alignment between corporate interests and nonprofit advocacy, potentially accelerating advancements in treatment and prevention. The campaign also highlights the need for broader policy interventions to address the 'silent killer' nature of kidney disease.

What we're watching

Awareness Impact
How AKF’s Kidney Month campaign will affect early detection rates and patient engagement.
Corporate Support
Whether the involvement of pharmaceutical companies will translate into sustained funding and research collaboration.
Policy Influence
The pace at which AKF’s advocacy efforts will drive regulatory changes for kidney disease prevention and treatment.