📰 Breaking News
Where the Latest Kidney Health & Veteran Updates Live
Welcome to Latest News, your trusted source for real-time updates impacting veterans and the kidney health community.
Here, we highlight and share the most important developments, announcements, and research coming through our channels — from major medical breakthroughs and policy changes to VA updates and national advocacy efforts.
As a veteran-led, patient-powered organization, EKF is often among the first to receive critical information from leading medical researchers, national partners, and government agencies. This page ensures you’re always informed and connected to what matters most.
🫡 Our Mission: To bridge the gap between patients, science, and policy — making sure no warrior fights kidney disease alone.
🌟 Featured Story
🧬 🔥 Major Breakthrough: New National Effort Targets MN & APOL1 Kidney Disease
Big things are happening in the world of kidney health — and you’re hearing it here first.
The Enlisted Kidney Foundation is thrilled to share breaking news straight from one of the world’s top kidney researchers, Dr. Laurence H. Beck, Jr., MD, PhD — known as “The Godfather of PLA2R.”
This morning, Dr. Beck shared with us the official press release announcing the next chapter in kidney disease research:
The PARASOL Project — a national, multi-stakeholder research initiative — is expanding its focus to:
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🧪 Anti-PLA2R in Membranous Nephropathy (MN)
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🧬 APOL1 Kidney Disease (AMKD)
This is a game changer.
For MN patients, using anti-PLA2R antibodies as a trial endpoint could speed up drug development and access to life-saving treatments.
For APOL1 patients, it opens doors to earlier detection, targeted therapies, and a new wave of hope for those at highest risk — including many veterans.
But this story hits even closer to home…
Our founder, Dan Holmes, played a historic role as the patient voice in the official “Voice of the Patient” medical journal — led by Dr. Beck himself. Now, through that connection, EKF is bringing this major update straight to our community before anyone else.
👉 This is the kind of moment that moves the needle for patients.
👉 This is why #FilterLIFE exists.
Bet You didn't know this...
📜 A Historic Moment in Membranous Nephropathy
(Rare Kidney Disease)
Long before the latest breakthroughs, there was a powerful moment in kidney disease history that changed the conversation — and EKF was part of it.
The world’s leading MN researcher, Dr. Laurence H. Beck, Jr., MD, PhD, led the creation of the “Voice of the Patient” Report — a landmark medical journal that captured the real, raw patient experience of living with Membranous Nephropathy (MN).
And the voice that helped shape that report?
👉 It was our very own Founder, Dan Holmes.
As the patient representative, Dan shared his story with the FDA and top kidney researchers. That testimony became part of the official historical record of MN and is now used to:
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Guide research and treatment priorities
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Shape clinical trial design and drug development
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Elevate patient voices in national and global conversations
This is why EKF doesn’t just react to news — we help make it.
📝 Cliff Notes — Voice of the Patient Highlights
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🫡 Patient Voices at the Center: This report was the first of its kind for MN, ensuring patients drive the conversation on future treatments.
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🧬 Anti-PLA2R Identified as Key: The document highlighted the need for early detection and monitoring using biomarkers like PLA2R.
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🏛️ Regulatory Impact: It laid groundwork for how future MN clinical trials could be structured — including endpoints now being advanced through PARASOL.
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💬 Lived Experience Matters: The patient stories in this report continue to shape advocacy, research, and policy today.
✨ This isn’t just medical history. This is EKF’s legacy in action.
🇺🇸 Veteran NEWS
🪖 Gulf War Illness — Know the Signs. Know Your Rights.
As of 📅 October 1st, 2025, Gulf War Illness (GWI) is officially recognized by the VA with its own diagnostic code — giving veterans the legal standing and medical recognition they’ve long deserved.
For too many years, Gulf War veterans have lived with chronic, unexplained symptoms without proper acknowledgment. This new change means you can now get officially evaluated, rated, and receive the benefits you’ve earned.
🫡 At The Enlisted Kidney Foundation, we proudly work alongside local DAV (Disabled American Veterans) offices to:
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Help veterans understand their symptoms
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Connect them with trusted DAV service officers
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Guide them step by step through the VA claims and rating process
You served your country. Now your country recognizes your fight.
⚠️ Common Gulf War Illness Signs & Symptoms
If you’ve experienced these symptoms for 6 months or more, and they occur together, you may meet the criteria for a GWI diagnosis:
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Chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
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Persistent muscle or joint pain
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Frequent headaches or migraines
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Memory problems, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating
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Sleep disturbances or insomnia
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Gastrointestinal issues (IBS, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain)
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Skin problems or rashes
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Dizziness or balance problems
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Shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms
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Widespread pain, tingling, or numbness
🩺 Important: As of October 1, 2025, GWI is recognized under an official VA diagnostic code — making it easier for veterans to file claims and receive benefits.
🧾 Why This Matters
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✅ New VA Diagnostic Code is Now Law (effective October 1, 2025)
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💰 Veterans can now pursue official ratings and compensation
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🤝 EKF partners with local DAV offices to guide you through the process
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🧭 Early action can lead to faster claims and stronger outcomes
👉 Contact EKF to get connected with a DAV Service Officer.
👉 Learn More on Patreon (in-depth resources, claim tips, & ongoing personal mentorship)
FSGS Day — June 10
Officially recognized in 10 states
image is AI created for example
Not only has Florida (our home state) officially recognized June 10, 2025 as FSGS Awareness Day via HR 8095, but with advocacy partners and patient voices, we've helped drive recognition in multiple states across the country.
This is more than symbolic — it’s a public acknowledgement that FSGS deserves awareness, research, funding, and support everywhere.
States that have recognized FSGS Day include (but may not be limited to):
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Florida Florida House of Representatives
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Michigan Michigan.gov
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Georgia Georgia.gov
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New York NYSenate.gov
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(And reportedly Colorado, Mississippi, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, California)
A special note:
When you see “FSGS Day” in your state, know that there were real people behind it — patients, advocates, legislators — including EKF. The change often began at the grassroots level, and we’re proud to have been part of that motion in Florida and beyond.
Music & Culture:
To bring the message to life, Grammy Award nominee Brian Kennedy and Platinum recording artist David Rush created an original song titled “Feel So Good Song” in honor of FSGS Day.
🎧 Listen to the official YouTube version