EKF is where strength meets support.
Built by veterans. Led by patients. Driven by purpose.
The Enlisted Kidney Foundation helps kidney patients, veterans, caregivers, and families navigate kidney disease through mentorship, education, advocacy, and trusted connections.
We meet people where they are, but we don’t leave them there.
The Enlisted Kidney Foundation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals, including PFAS "forever chemicals" and are now living with kidney disease.
Our first mission is mentorship. We connect Veterans one-on-one with someone who understands the journey, helping them navigate kidney disease, understand their healthcare options, and never feel like they have to face this battle alone.
From there, we help Veterans connect their service-related exposures to their current health, navigate VA healthcare and PACT Act benefits, identify available resources, and build stronger disability claims when appropriate.
EKF also supports national efforts like H.R. 3639, the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act, advocating for presumptive recognition and better care for the Veterans and families harmed by PFAS-contaminated military installations.
The Enlisted Kidney Foundation believes mentorship starts by meeting people where they are.
Through grassroots outreach, our rapidly growing online community, and one of the nation's most engaged TikTok communities for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), we connect patients, caregivers, Veterans, and families with real people who understand the journey.
Our mission extends beyond social media. We visit local dialysis clinics, participate in community events, and partner with organizations to bring mentorship, education, and trusted kidney health resources directly into the communities we serve.
We're especially committed to improving kidney health equity in Black and Brown communities, where kidney disease has a disproportionate impact. By raising awareness of important genetic risk factors like APOL1, encouraging early screening, and empowering families with trusted information and mentorship, we help turn awareness into action.
Because real impact happens when people feel seen, informed, mentored, and never filtered out.
Kidney disease affects millions of families, yet too many people are navigating it without the guidance they deserve.
Today, more than 1 in 7 Americans are living with chronic kidney disease, and approximately 1 in 6 Veterans are affected, many without even knowing it. Early detection, trusted mentorship, and access to the right resources can change the course of a person's journey.
That's why the Enlisted Kidney Foundation exists.
Our nationally recognized mentorship model connects patients and caregivers with people who have walked the same path, helping them better understand kidney disease, explore treatment and transplant options, navigate the healthcare system, and find hope through community instead of isolation.
Our commitment to patient-centered mentorship has earned national recognition, including the 2024 NephCure Impact Award and the 2026 ASN Cele's Champion Award for our mentorship program, recognition that reflects our belief that the most powerful resource in kidney care is someone who truly understands the journey.
Whether someone has just been diagnosed, is supporting a loved one through dialysis, preparing for transplant, or simply searching for answers, EKF is committed to ensuring they never have to navigate kidney disease alone.
Because when patients and caregivers are empowered, entire families become stronger.
☕Coffee & Conversations
🫡 FilterLIFE™ Mentorship & Navigation
🇺🇸Capitol Hill Advocacy
Real conversations. Shared experience. Stronger community.
Coffee & Conversations is EKF’s free peer-support gathering for kidney patients, caregivers, veterans, and families. Join us twice each month, on Zoom and TikTok LIVE, to share experiences, ask questions, learn from others, and connect with people who understand the journey. This is community support, not medical care.
Personal guidance from someone who understands the journey.
FilterLIFE™ provides one-on-one mentorship and practical navigation for kidney patients, caregivers, veterans, and families. Start with a free 30-minute intake so we can understand your situation, identify your needs, and determine the best next step. Ongoing private sessions are available for personalized support, resource navigation, appointment preparation, and help organizing the road ahead.
Turning lived experience into action.
EKF advocates for policies that protect kidney patients, veterans, first responders, caregivers, and underserved communities. We educate lawmakers, share patient and veteran experiences, build public awareness, and work alongside national partners to advance earlier education, stronger protections, and better access to care. Explore our current legislative priorities and learn how you can take action.
Connect with kidney patients, caregivers, veterans, and families who understand the journey. Coffee & Conversations is a free, welcoming space to share experiences, ask questions, and build community.
Join us on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM ET on Zoom and the third Thursday from 7:00–9:00 PM ET on TikTok LIVE.
Peer mentorship and navigation, not medical, legal, mental-health, or financial advice.
Start with a private 30-minute conversation so we can learn about your journey, understand what support you’re looking for, and help identify your next step.
If ongoing support is right for you, FilterLIFE™ Mentorship & Navigation sessions are available for personalized guidance, resource navigation, appointment preparation, and continued support.
Support H.R. 2687 – The End Kidney Deaths Act. If passed, this landmark legislation could eliminate the kidney transplant waitlist by providing living donors with up to $50,000 in refundable tax credits over five years, helping save thousands of lives.
Support H.R. 3639 – The PFAS Exposure Assessment and Documentation Act. This legislation would improve the identification, documentation, and long-term tracking of PFAS exposure, helping veterans and other exposed individuals connect toxic exposures to future health conditions and strengthening access to the care and benefits they deserve.