Bringing Smiles and Fun Nationwide, the American Kidney Fund's National Virtual Camp Helps Children and Teens with Kidney Disease Feel Less Alone

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Aug. 1, 2024) — The American Kidney Fund (AKF) today highlighted the growth and ongoing success of its National Virtual Camp program for children and teens with kidney disease – the only virtual program of its kind for pediatric kidney patients. 

The camp program was born out of an idea to reduce the social isolation felt by children living with kidney disease during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to increase their confidence and self-esteem. The program quickly grew popular and has continued after most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted; campers meet monthly and work together on a wide variety of virtual activities, as well as discuss their kidney journeys. Since the virtual camp was started, nearly 200 children who are patients at more than a dozen medical centers or hospitals nationwide have participated each year.

"Making friends and building a sense of community is daunting for many children, but it can be especially challenging for children with kidney disease, who often struggle to find other kids who can relate to what they are going through," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "Our virtual camp helps kids with kidney disease feel a little less alone, and we are thrilled to watch it grow and to hear from so many participants about how the program has changed the lives of children for the better."

A 2023 survey of parents with children who attended AKF's virtual camp program showed that 75% of children experienced an "improved" or "much improved" change in their overall mood after taking part in the camp. Approximately 70% of the children experienced an "improved" or "much improved" change in their feelings of isolation. Parents of campers reported: 

"We have been extremely thankful for the Kidney Fund and the community they have put together. [My daughter] looks forward to all the projects that you all have curated. As her mother I love seeing her excitement when I tell her to go check the mail. She always feels included when she receives those little reminders that she is not alone." 

"Before camp, [my daughter] didn't know any other kids with kidney disease. She has friends, but none who know what it's like to have health issues and extended hospital stays. There are a lot of things that she has had to miss out on due to illness from being immunocompromised, or other issues with kidney disease, and camp has been eye-opening for her to see other kids like herself, who go through the same things she does."

"Before camp, I could tell he was starting to notice that he is different than other children his age. It made him feel lonely to not know other kids like him. This has helped him see other students dealing with similar circumstances and I think he feels less alone in his journey." 

Kidney disease in children is rare, but the annual prevalence of children with kidney failure rose slightly by 1.8% between 2020 and 2021, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. Children with kidney failure who receive hemodialysis spend an average of 8.6 days in the hospital, while those receiving peritoneal dialysis spend an average of 13.9 days. Children living with a kidney transplant spend an average of 7.6 days in the hospital, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. Children who spend these days receiving life-saving health care can often miss school, extracurricular activities and social life, leading to an increased sense of social isolation and loneliness. Research has also shown that there is a higher prevalence of depression in children with kidney disease.

The National Virtual Camp is made possible with support from Amgen, the Schattner Foundation and the Truist Charitable Fund (a donor-advised fund at The Winston-Salem Foundation).