The Lending Hand Initiative
Patient Advocacy · Health Equity · Community Impact

Advancing Trust,
Equity & Community
Impact

Helping organizations reach rare kidney disease communities early — building awareness, strengthening trust, and ensuring no one faces a diagnosis without the information and support they need.

70K+
Radio Listeners Reached
20+
Speaking Engagements
3
Federal Advisory Boards
2026
Georgia Kidney Champion Award

“My goal is to ensure that conversations around APOL1 move upstream — increasing awareness, strengthening trust, and connecting more individuals to the information and support they need.”

— Jaime Albright, MSW

By the Numbers

The data behind the urgency — and why this work cannot wait.

37M
Americans living with CKD

1 in 7 U.S. adults has chronic kidney disease — most with no symptoms.

Source: CDC, 2026
4x
Higher kidney failure risk

Black Americans develop kidney failure at nearly 4 times the rate of white Americans.

Source: American Kidney Fund
13%
of Black Americans

Carry two APOL1 high-risk variants — an estimated 4–6 million people with elevated lifetime kidney disease risk.

Source: NephCure Kidney International
9 in 10
People with CKD are unaware

The vast majority of people living with chronic kidney disease don't know they have it.

Source: CDC / American Kidney Fund

Strategic Value We Bring

A unique combination of lived experience, international credibility, and deep community trust.

Lived Expertise

Firsthand understanding of the rare kidney disease patient journey — offering real insight into barriers, motivations, and daily realities that don't appear in clinical data.

International Credibility

Recognized across the kidney health ecosystem through engagements with the Congressional Black Caucus, FDA/KHI APOL1 Advisory Council, ISGD, NORD, NKF, AKF, and NephCure.

Community Relationships

Deep-rooted relationships with patient communities, HBCUs, local organizations, and trusted community partners — essential access points for rare kidney disease outreach and awareness.

Patient Engagement & Program Insight

Patient-centered insight that ensures programs reflect real community priorities, while identifying and recommending trusted patient voices when broader perspectives are needed.

Recognized & Engaged By

Government & Policy

Congressional Black CaucusFood & Drug Administration

Medical Societies & Research

International Society of Glomerular DiseaseKidney Disease: Improving Global OutcomesKidney Health Initiative

Pharmaceutical & Biotech

AstraZenecaBiogenApellis PharmaceuticalsTravere TherapeuticsMaze Therapeutics

Patient Advocacy & Nonprofits

National Kidney FoundationAmerican Kidney FundNational Organization for Rare DisordersNephCure

Ready to Collaborate?

Whether you're a pharmaceutical company, nonprofit organization, healthcare institution, or community partner, let's work together to strengthen awareness, build trust, and create meaningful connections that improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by kidney disease.

Get In Touch