AMKD Awareness Day arrives every 4th Tuesday of April, shining a light on APOL1-mediated kidney disease. This day encourages understanding of how genetic background can impact kidney health, particularly for individuals of Western and Central African ancestry. Learn about the risks, support research, and advocate for equitable health outcomes.
Want to sponsor AMKD Awareness Day? Learn how
Expected AMKD Awareness Day Deals
For AMKD Awareness Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to vital fundraising and awareness initiatives. Organizations like the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology often partner with corporate sponsors to amplify their message. Expect to see donation matching programs from pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca or Novartis, who are active in kidney disease research and treatment. Advocacy groups such as the Genetic Alliance may launch social media campaigns or virtual events to educate the public. Retailers might offer roundup-at-checkout options or sell branded merchandise to support kidney health initiatives. We encourage direct donations to reputable organizations working on AMKD research and patient support.
Platform Guide for AMKD Awareness Day
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #AMKDAwareness. Share educational infographics and personal stories to foster community support.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #AMKDAwareness. Engage with health organizations, share research updates, and participate in Q&A sessions with experts.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #AMKDAwareness. Post compelling visuals, short video clips explaining AMKD, and calls to action for genetic testing awareness.
AMKD Awareness Day Hero
Dr. Martin Pollak
History of AMKD Awareness Day
Less than 20 years ago, the discovery of the APOL1 gene mutations’ connection to kidney disease was hailed as a significant breakthrough. This research helped shed light on the impact of genetics on racial disparities in kidney disease. In the United States, people of color are at increased risk for developing kidney failure, with Black Americans more than four times more likely to need dialysis or a transplant than white Americans. While racial disparities in kidney disease are primarily due to social determinants of health, structural racism, and lack of preventive care, among people with West or Central African ancestry, mutations of the APOL1 gene can cause certain forms of kidney disease that lead to kidney failure.Â
Unfortunately, not nearly enough people, including health care providers, know about APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). AMKD Awareness Day was created to raise national awareness of AMKD so that people in affected communities will be aware of their potential risk, recognize symptoms, and share information about and how to test for AMKD with their family, their communities and providers.Â
AMKD Awareness Day timeline
Scientists discover the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene.
Scientists discover a connection between mutations in the APOL1 genes and kidney disease.
The American Kidney Fund launches and sponsors the first AMKD Awareness Day. Want to be a sponsor:Â learn how.
How Businesses Can Celebrate AMKD Awareness Day
Local businesses can support AMKD Awareness Day by hosting educational events or partnering with local kidney health organizations. Pharmacies and health clinics can offer free informational brochures or host screening events for at-risk populations. Companies with diverse workforces can organize internal awareness campaigns, sharing resources on genetic kidney disease and promoting open discussions about health equity. Restaurants might feature special healthy menu items and donate a portion of proceeds to kidney research. Boldly displaying information about AMKD and APOL1 gene mutations can help normalize conversations around genetic health.
AMKD Awareness Day FAQs
When is AMKD Awareness Day?
In 2027, AMKD Awareness Day is observed on Tuesday, April 27. This annual observance is a vital opportunity to engage with kidney health education.
What is APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD)?
APOL1-mediated kidney disease refers to conditions where variations in the APOL1 gene increase the risk of kidney damage. These genetic factors are particularly prevalent in populations with African heritage, highlighting disparities in kidney health.
Who is at risk for AMKD?
Individuals with ancestry from Western and Central Africa are disproportionately affected by AMKD due to the higher prevalence of specific APOL1 gene variants in these populations. Awareness of this genetic predisposition is key for early intervention.
How is AMKD diagnosed?
Diagnosing AMKD typically begins with a clinical suspicion based on a patient’s ancestry and kidney disease progression. Genetic testing for APOL1 risk variants is a critical component, alongside standard nephrology evaluations.
How to Observe AMKD Awareness Day
Learn more
Learn about and share how our genes impact our kidney health from trusted sources like healthcare providers or medical websites. The more you know, the earlier you can catch potential signs.
Share on social media
Use the resources available to share information on all your social channels. Don't forget to use the hashtag #APOL1aware to increase your reach.
Share your AMKD story
View and share videos from patients with AMKD or record your own. These personal stories can remind you and others that you're not alone.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE APOL1 GENE
Those at an increased risk
People of western and central African descent are at an increased risk of a mutation in one or both copies of the APOL1 gene. This includes people who are Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean and/or Latina/Latino.
The kidney damage risk
The APOL1 gene creates proteins that play a role in immunity, our body's built-in system to fight disease. Hundreds of years ago, the mutation associated with AMKD evolved as a way to protect the person from a parasite (carried by the tse tse fly) that causes African sleeping sickness. Today, we now know that while protecting from one disease, the APOL1 gene mutations also increase the risk for significant kidney damage in some people.
A 1 in 8 chance
The exact number of people who have AMKD is not known, as researchers only discovered the role of the APOL1 gene mutations in kidney disease in 2010. However, it is estimated that 13% of (or 1 in 8) Black Americans have two APOL1 gene mutations.
Your genetic mutations status
If you have two copies of the high-risk APOL1 gene mutations, you are not guaranteed to develop kidney disease. You are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease (a 1 in 5 chance), but it typically develops after you also encounter an environmental trigger—like an inflammation or an infection like COVID-19—that acts as a “second hit” and increases the damage to your kidneys. You may not know what your “second hit” was, though, so knowing if you have the genetic mutations can help you more closely monitor your kidney health and make lifestyle choices now to help protect your kidneys.
Genetic testing
The only way to know if your kidney disease is the result of APOL1 gene mutations is to do genetic testing. If you are interested in doing a genetic test, talk to your doctor and see if they can order the test for you or refer you to a genetic counselor.Â
Why AMKD Awareness Day is Important
Understand your risk
People of western and central African descent, including people who are Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, and/or Latina/Latino, are more likely to have a mutation in one or both APOL1 genes.
Take charge of your health
AMKD progresses more rapidly than other forms or causes of kidney disease. If you have AMKD, you are more likely to develop kidney disease early in your life and your kidney disease is more likely to progress to kidney failure and faster than it would if you did not have AMKD. If you have the APOL1 gene mutations that cause kidney disease, you can begin to personalize a care plan with your doctor to help protect your kidney health.
Help protect your loved ones
Since AMKD is an inherited disease, it is likely that if you have the mutations, someone in your family does as well. Spreading awareness of AMKD can help protect your kidneys as well as your loved ones’.
Social Media Tips for AMKD Awareness Day
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