Resources

Patient Resources

The following organizations provide information for patients and families about vascular access and kidney disease.

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American Association of Kidney Patients
AAKP is a kidney organization run by kidney patients. It has many brochures, newsletters, and resources to help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) manage their lives. Patients can learn about educational programs, events, and policy briefs.
(800) 749-2257
www.aakp.org

American Kidney Fund
AKF is the #1 source for financial assistance to kidney patients. AKF provides free pharmacy products as well as grants to help patients with costs not covered by other sources. AKF also provides education and outreach to people who are at risk for kidney disease.
(866) 300-2900
www.kidneyfund.org

AV Fistula First
First Sponsored by CMS, this website is devoted to everything about AV fistulas. It has information for both patients and professionals.
www.fistulafirst.org

Dialysis Facility Compare
Sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this website allows patients to find and compare information about dialysis facilities in every state. Patients can search for facilities by name, city or state. Medicare's coverage for dialysis is also discussed.
www.medicare.gov/Dialysis/Home.asp

Dialysis Patient Citizens
DPC is an independent, dialysis patient organization. It is dedicated to improving dialysis patients' quality of life. DPC advocates for dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and promotes favorable public policy. It works to improve the partnership between patients and caregivers.
(866) 877-4242
www.dialysispatients.org

Home Dialysis Central
This website helps you to find home dialysis centers near you. The site provides education about the types of home dialysis, updates on technology and equipment, and discussion boards to help you connect with other dialysis patients.
(608) 833-8033
www.homedialysis.org

Kidney Patient News
The site offers information and resources for kidney patients and their families, including treatment options and vascular access types, diet and nutrition, and emergency and disaster preparation.
(317) 257-8265
www.kidneypatientnews.org

Kidney School
Kidney School is an interactive, web-based learning program. It was designed to help people understand kidney disease and its treatment, adjust to kidney disease, make good medical choices and live as fully as possible. Click on the table of contents to pick the topics that most interest you.
www.kidneyschool.org

Life Options Rehabilitation Program
Life Options provides free fact sheets, videos and booklets to help people live long and well with kidney disease. The site includes many resources about vocational rehabilitation.
(800) 468-7777
www.lifeoptions.org

National Kidney Disease Education Program
This site includes many resources about kidney disease and testing. Educational materials can be downloaded or ordered directly.
(866) 454-3639
www.nkdep.nih.gov

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
This organization provides detailed information about CKD and treatment options, including home dialysis and kidney transplantation. The site also includes the NIDDK reference collection, a database of health education materials for patients and providers.
(800) 891–5390
www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov

The National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Through its more than 50 offices nationwide, the NKF provides vital patient and community services to empower those with kidney disease so they can make key decisions and take control of their own health care. Local support groups, counseling, financial assistance, newsletters and online patient communities are some of the ways the NKF stands side by side with patients and families. The NKF is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.
(800) 622-9010
www.kidney.org

Renal Support Network
RSN is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by CKD and strives to motivate and assist patients in developing their personal coping skills, special talents, and employability by educating and empowering them (and family members) to take control of the course and management of their disease. RSN helps people with kidney disease become self-sufficient thru education, advocacy, and hope for a better tomorrow.
(800) 579-1970 – HOPEline, for peer support and info.
(866) 903-1728
www.rsnhope.org

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