5 Advocacy Organizations for IgAN Warriors

By 
the PicnicHealth Team
April 2, 2023

There are many organizations dedicated to helping patients with IgA nephropathy. Here are five of the top organizations that IgA nephropathy patients can turn to for support and resources.

The IgAN Foundation

The IgAN Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to funding research into IgA nephropathy. The organization was founded by a group of patients, caregivers, and medical professionals who were frustrated by the lack of progress in finding a cure for the disease. Since its inception, the IgAN Foundation has funded research projects around the world, with the goal of finding a cure.

In addition to funding research, the IgAN Foundation provides resources to patients and their families. The organization hosts an annual patient symposium, which brings together patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to share information and offer support. The IgAN Foundation also maintains an online community, where patients and their families can connect with others who are dealing with the disease.

National Kidney Foundation

The National Kidney Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the lives of kidney patients, and finding a cure for kidney disease. The organization offers a wide range of resources and support services to patients with kidney disease, including IgA Nephropathy.

Their website offers a wealth of information about kidney disease, including IgA nephropathy. The website provides information about the disease, its symptoms, and treatment options. The National Kidney Foundation also offers a free helpline that patients can call to speak with a trained professional about their disease.

In addition to these resources, the National Kidney Foundation offers a variety of support services for kidney patients, including support groups, educational programs, and financial assistance programs.

NephCure

NephCure is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for nephrotic syndrome, a group of diseases that includes IgA nephropathy. The organization funds research projects around the world, with the goal of finding a cure for nephrotic syndrome.

In addition to funding research, NephCure provides resources to patients and their families. The organization offers a patient registry, which allows patients to connect with each other and share information about their disease. NephCure also provides a free helpline that patients can call to speak with a trained professional about their disease.

American Association of Kidney Patients

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of kidney patients. The organization offers a wide range of resources and support services to patients with kidney disease, including IgA nephropathy.

The AAKP's website provides information about kidney disease, including IgA nephropathy. The organization also offers a free magazine, Renalife, which provides information and support to kidney patients and their families. The AAKP also hosts an annual patient meeting, which brings together kidney patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to share information and offer support.

In addition to these resources, the AAKP offers a variety of support services for kidney patients, including support groups, educational programs, and financial assistance programs.

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping people fight kidney disease and lead healthier lives. The organization offers a variety of resources and support services to patients with kidney disease, including IgA nephropathy.

The AKF's website provides information about kidney disease, including IgA nephropathy, and offers a variety of educational resources to help patients and their families manage their disease. The organization also offers financial assistance programs to help patients pay for treatment, transportation to and from medical appointments, and other expenses related to their disease.

In addition to these resources, the AKF offers a variety of support services for kidney patients, including support groups, peer mentoring programs, and a free helpline that patients can call to speak with a trained professional about their disease.

Overall, these four organizations are among the top resources available to patients with IgA nephropathy. Whether you're looking for information about the disease, seeking financial assistance, or looking for emotional support, these organizations can help you find the resources you need to manage your disease and lead a healthier life.

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the PicnicHealth Team

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List the names of all the doctors, hospitals, and other facilities your loved one visits regularly, along with those they have visited in the past. Try to go back as far as you can, striving for at least the last 5-10 years, but do your best. Even if you can’t remember them all, having a strong baseline can help you quickly identify gaps in records.

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1

Build a support network.

If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, putting a support system together might not seem like priority #1. But it’s never too soon to build a network of people that you can turn to in times of need. Cultivate connections today with the people who can be there tomorrow, or whenever you might need a hand.

You may also want to connect with other Alzheimer’s caregivers through a support group, whether it meets in-person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating the world of Alzheimer’s.

2

Stay organized.

If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, putting a support system together might not seem like priority #1. But it’s never too soon to build a network of people that you can turn to in times of need. Cultivate connections today with the people who can be there tomorrow, or whenever you might need a hand.

You may also want to connect with other Alzheimer’s caregivers through a support group, whether it meets in-person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating the world of Alzheimer’s.

3

Plan for the future.

It isn’t always easy to look into the future with Alzheimer’s—but doing the legwork now will save you from stress later. If your loved one is in the early stages of illness, you can involve them in conversations about legal, financial, and long-term care planning decisions. Despite the difficulty of these topics, you’ll all feel empowered by facing them early, and you can move ahead with greater confidence.

4

Explore treatments and clinical trials.

It’s an exciting time for Alzheimer’s research, with new treatments in development and coming to market. Ask your loved one’s doctors about therapies they can try or clinical trials they can join. One easy way to participate in research is to sign up at PicnicHealth, which helps to advance Alzheimer’s science by sharing participants’ anonymous health data with some of the brightest minds in research.

5

Make time for self-care

It may seem self-centered to focus on self-care—but when you feel good, you can be a better caregiver. Whether it’s exercise, a mindfulness practice, a soak in the bath, or just time to rest when you need it, carve out those moments in the day when you can unwind, reset, and stay healthy mentally and physically. Think of it as building up your reserves of kindness, patience, and understanding—which can only benefit your loved one with Alzheimer’s. And don’t forget to keep a sense of humor along the way.

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LC-FAOD Odyssey: A Preliminary Analysis, presented at INFORM 2021

Data from real-world medical records:

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

16 yrs old

Median age at enrollment

38% Female

15 providers / patient

7.5 years of data / patient

Data from patient-reported outcome (PRO) survey

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

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However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine the appropriate amount of protein for your individual needs. In general, a diet with moderate protein intake (about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day) is recommended for people with kidney diseases.

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