Texas Kidney Foundation

Texas Kidney Foundation The Texas Kidney Foundation is committed to the prevention of kidney disease as well as awareness of

The Texas Kidney Foundation is committed to the prevention of kidney disease as well as awareness of the need for organ donation.

12/18/2025

🚨 The “Kidney Swap” That Could Save Thousands of Lives 🚨

Post Copy:
Imagine this: Your best friend needs a kidney. You volunteer… but you’re not a match.
For years, that was the end of the story. But not anymore.

There’s a quiet revolution in transplantation called Paired Kidney Donation — a “kidney swap” where two or more incompatible donor-recipient pairs exchange donors so everyone gets a compatible match.

💡 How it works:
1️⃣ Two families want to donate, but neither donor matches their loved one.
2️⃣ An algorithm finds cross-matches between the pairs.
3️⃣ Both donors give — and two lives are saved.

🔗 Some swaps involve dozens of families, linked together in life-saving chains — all thanks to an altruistic stranger starting the ripple.

Why it matters:

1 in 3 willing kidney donors aren’t compatible with their loved one

Thousands remain on dialysis, waiting

Paired donation turns “no match” into a second chance

Yet, most Americans don’t even know this exists.

It’s time to change that. 💚
Awareness saves lives — share this post and start the conversation.

12/11/2025

Your kidneys might feel fine. Your doctor might even say, “Your numbers look normal.”
But if you’re Black or of African ancestry — and especially if kidney disease runs in your family — “normal” can be misleading.

That’s where the KDIGO Heat Map comes in. It’s a color-coded chart that uses two critical numbers to show your real risk for kidney disease:

eGFR → How well your kidneys are filtering

uACR → Protein leakage in your urine

Put these together, and you get a clear picture:
🟢 Green = Low risk
🟡 Yellow = Moderate risk
🔴 Red = High risk

The problem? Most patients never see it. And that’s one reason Black Americans are nearly 4x more likely to develop kidney failure — often from preventable or delayable causes.

Why This Matters for Our Community 🧬

13% of African Americans carry two APOL1 gene variants, increasing their risk for APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD).

Many people don’t learn their risk until they’re already facing dialysis.

By combining eGFR + uACR, the KDIGO Heat Map can catch problems early — before symptoms appear.

Early knowledge = early action = better outcomes.

Take Back Control ✊🏾

Imagine if every church health ministry, barbershop booth, and family group chat had access to this chart. Imagine caregivers saying:

“What’s your eGFR? What’s your uACR? Where do you fall on the chart?”

This isn’t just a medical issue. It’s about equity, empowerment, and protecting our future.

Your Next Step 🩺

✅ Ask your doctor for your eGFR + uACR results
✅ Check your KDIGO Heat Map risk
✅ Share this post to raise awareness

Knowledge saves lives. Let’s make the KDIGO Heat Map a household name.

12/04/2025

For Black Americans at Risk of AMKD, This Simple Chart Could Change Your Future

“Your labs look good.” That’s what many Black patients hear—until one day, dialysis becomes reality.

APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) is a silent, inherited condition that disproportionately affects people of West & Central African ancestry—including millions of Black Americans. It’s driven by two APOL1 gene variants, not lifestyle, and can cause rapid kidney decline.

Here’s the problem: eGFR alone isn’t enough. Your kidneys can be damaged even when your numbers look “normal.”

Enter the KDIGO Heat Map—a simple, color-coded tool combining eGFR + uACR to reveal your real risk:
🟢 Green = Low
🟡 Yellow = Moderate
🟠 Orange = High
🔴 Red = Very High

This chart turns confusing labs into clear action steps—helping you catch kidney damage earlier.

Why it matters:

13% of African Americans carry a high-risk APOL1 genotype

50%+ carry at least one risk variant

uACR can rise up to 10 years before eGFR drops

What to ask your doctor:
✅ “What’s my uACR?”
✅ “Where do I fall on the KDIGO Heat Map?”
✅ “Should I get tested for APOL1 variants?”

This isn’t about special treatment—it’s about complete care. The tools exist. The question is: will we use them?

11/27/2025

From Confusion to Control: How the KDIGO Heat Map Empowers a Healthier Kidney Future 🧠💚

For many people of African ancestry, APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) feels like a silent ambush. One day, your labs seem “fine.” The next, your kidneys are failing.

But there’s a tool—simple, visual, and backed by decades of research—that can change the story: The KDIGO Heat Map.

🟢 What it does:
It uses just two lab tests—eGFR + uACR—to place you in color-coded risk zones (green, yellow, orange, red). Think of it like a weather radar for your kidneys.

🔴 Why it matters for AMKD:

Early signs of kidney damage often go unnoticed.

Many providers focus only on eGFR, ignoring uACR, which can reveal silent damage early.

Seeing where you land on the map turns fear into action—before it’s too late.

💡 Your move:

Ask your doctor for both tests.

Learn where you are on the KDIGO Heat Map.

Share this knowledge with your family and community.

The KDIGO Heat Map doesn’t just track kidney function—it translates your numbers into action. For individuals at risk of AMKD, seeing your risk can change your future.

11/20/2025

🚨 Beyond the Colors: Mastering Your AMKD Risk with the KDIGO Heat Map 🩺

“Your kidney numbers look fine.”
Sounds reassuring — but for millions at risk of genetically driven kidney disease, it can be dangerously misleading.

If you’re Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, or have West/Central African ancestry, APOL1 gene variants could silently raise your risk. That’s why understanding the KDIGO Heat Map is a game-changer.

This isn’t just a chart for doctors. It’s a color-coded roadmap that helps decode two critical tests:
✅ eGFR — how well your kidneys filter waste
✅ uACR — if your kidneys are leaking protein

Together, they reveal your true risk level — even when your labs look “normal.”

🟥 Why It Matters for Black Kidney Health

13% of African Americans carry two APOL1 risk variants — raising kidney disease risk.

Early damage often starts silently. You may feel fine. Your labs may look “green.”

But elevated uACR + “normal” eGFR can land you in the orange or red zone — high risk without knowing it.

The KDIGO Heat Map makes these invisible risks visible — and helps you act before it’s too late.

🧠 Take Charge of Your Kidney Health

📌 Ask for BOTH tests — eGFR and uACR.
📌 Plot your results on the KDIGO Heat Map.
📌 Know your zone → green ✅, yellow ⚠️, orange 🔶, red 🔴.
📌 If risk is elevated: discuss lifestyle changes, medications, and APOL1 genetic testing with your doctor.

Knowledge isn’t scary — silence is.
The KDIGO Heat Map gives you the full picture: where you stand, where you’re headed, and what you can do today.

It’s time to go beyond the colors and fight back against silent kidney disease.

Thank you, Senator Campbell and Team Campbell!We are truly grateful for your presence at the premiere of A Heart Full of...
11/17/2025

Thank you, Senator Campbell and Team Campbell!
We are truly grateful for your presence at the premiere of A Heart Full of Hope. Your support helps amplify the urgent need for kidney disease awareness, living kidney donors, and the lifesaving possibilities of living kidney exchange through the National Kidney Registry.

This film — produced by The Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) and Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions — masterfully uses storytelling to educate, inspire, and highlight how living donation and paired exchange can transform the future for patients and families.

It was an honor for the Texas Kidney Foundation to support this important project and help bring these critical conversations to the forefront.

Thank you for standing with us and championing healthier communities across Texas. 💚
Together, we can expand early detection, grow living kidney exchange, and bring hope to every family in need.

11/17/2025

👏 Meet Our Newly Certified CHW: Elisa Ortega
As of November 16, 2025, Elisa is officially a certified Community Health Worker — trained in health education, upstream early detection, and community outreach.
She’s ready to make an impact, support families, and help bridge gaps in care.
Congratulations, Elisa!

11/17/2025

🎬 Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsor for standing with us.

Your support fuels our mission—and helped bring Heart Full of Hope to life on November 14th.

11/16/2025

🌟 Friday’s premiere was nothing short of extraordinary.

From red-carpet excitement to real-life stories of resilience, Heart Full of Hope showed the power of community in action.

Texas showed up—and showed out. 🎬✨

11/16/2025

✨ What a night!
On Friday, November 14, 2025, the Heart Full of Hope premiere lit up the room with powerful stories of courage and community.

Thank you to everyone who made this night unforgettable. ❤️🎬

,

Address

401 E Sonterra Boulevard, Ste 375
San Antonio, TX
78258

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Texas Kidney Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category