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Who's your hero? Nominations open for American Kidney Fund 2018 Hero of Hope
Inspirational dialysis or kidney transplant patient will be honored at AKF national gala
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (April 25, 2018) The American Kidney Fund (AKF) today announced it is accepting nominations in its 8th annual nationwide search for a Hero of Hope—an inspirational dialysis or kidney transplant patient who is overcoming the challenges of living with kidney failure and spreading hope in their community.
The 2018 AKF Hero of Hope will be honored at the organization's national gala, The Hope Affair, in Washington, D.C. on October 3. Nominations are accepted via AKF's website, and the last day for nominations is Friday, May 4.
The Hero of Hope award is one of the highest honors given to a kidney patient in the United States. Each year AKF receives nominations from across the country—from social workers, nurses, nephrologists, caregivers, family members and friends of patients whose lives are a testament to hope despite the challenges of living with kidney failure.
"Each year we are incredibly inspired by the nominations we receive for the American Kidney Fund Hero of Hope award," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF president and CEO. "People who are living with a disease that takes so much away from them are nonetheless giving back to their communities, inspiring hope in those around them."
Past AKF Heroes of Hope have been dialysis and kidney transplant patients who are improving their communities in a variety of ways: mentoring at-risk young men, advocating for kidney patients, helping dialysis patients overcome depression and isolation, volunteering in homeless shelters, and educating, inspiring and comforting patients.
AKF's gala, The Hope Affair, was established in 2009. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the Hope Affair is AKF's signature fundraising event and is the only national gala celebrating those whose lives have been affected by kidney disease. The Hope Affair supports AKF's lifesaving programs that include education and kidney disease prevention, clinical research, advocacy, and direct financial support to kidney patients in need.
As the nation's leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 30 million Americans with kidney disease, 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. AKF provides a complete spectrum of programs and services: prevention outreach, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 5 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation. AKF holds the highest ratings from the nation's charity watchdog groups, including Charity Navigator, which includes AKF on its "top 10" list of nonprofits with the longest track records of outstanding stewardship of the donated dollar, and GuideStar, which has awarded AKF its Platinum Seal of Transparency.