American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Support Dialysis and Post-Transplant Patients Affected by Tornadoes in Six States

ROCKVILLE, Md. (December 15, 2021)  — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has activated its Disaster Relief Program to provide emergency grants to dialysis and post-transplant patients who were impacted by the devastating tornadoes on December 10 and 11. AKF's Disaster Relief Program is the nation's only rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients.

"We were devastated by the news of the tornadoes and our hearts go out to the communities impacted. Through our Disaster Relief Program, we will aid dialysis and post-transplant patients who were affected," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "Our grants provide assistance when it is needed the most and help alleviate some of the financial and health concerns of patients who find themselves navigating the aftermath of a natural disaster."

Emergency grants of $250 are being made available for dialysis and post-transplant patients impacted by the tornadoes in Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Disaster relief grants from AKF help patients replace lost medications and special renal diet foods, pay for temporary housing and transportation to treatment, and replace clothing and personal essentials lost due to the natural disaster or the need to evacuate without notice.

AKF has been providing emergency disaster financial assistance to kidney patients throughout all the major disasters that have struck the United States and its territories for the past two decades. Earlier this year, AKF allocated $325,000 to more than 1,600 dialysis and post-transplant patients during the Texas winter storm crisis and $150,000 in emergency grants to more than 750 dialysis and kidney transplant patients affected by Hurricane Ida. AKF also activated its Coronavirus Emergency Fund in March 2020, providing over $3.1 million in assistance to nearly 13,000 dialysis and transplant patients during the pandemic.

Dialysis and recent kidney transplant patients who need emergency financial help should contact a social worker at their dialysis clinic for information on applying for aid or apply directly at gms.KidneyFund.org. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31.

Charity Navigator has recognized AKF as one of the four-star charities providing emergency assistance in the aftermath of the tornadoes. AKF is covering the cost of processing and distributing grants, so that 100% of donations to the AKF Disaster Relief Program will be used to assist kidney patients affected by the tornadoes.