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Honored for NephCure’s APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness Campaign
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (Nov. 19, 2024) – NephCure is honored to announce its Bronze-level win at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards in the Health category. This recognition highlights the impactful work of NephCure’s APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness Campaign, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this genetic condition predominantly affecting the Black community.
The Anthem Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, celebrate outstanding achievements in social impact and purpose-driven work. This year’s competition was the most competitive yet, with over 2,300 entries submitted from more than 30 countries. Additionally, over 33,000 supporters cast 47,000 votes for finalists in the Anthem Community Voice Awards. NephCure’s win underscores its commitment to advancing health equity and awareness on a global scale.
Patricia McLoughlin, General Manager of the Anthem Awards, praised this year’s honorees, saying, “The winners of this year’s Anthem Awards are truly inspiring, and I am honored to help elevate their impact. At a time of uncertainty, the tireless efforts of the Anthem Awards community provide hope for a better tomorrow.”
The success of this initiative is credited to the dedicated NephCure team, including Kylie Karley, Director of Marketing & Communications; Imanté Eichelberger, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications; Destiny Lalonde, Content Marketing Manager; Montrez Lucas, Associate Director of Patient Navigation; and Maurice Madden, Director of Stakeholder Engagement. These leaders will accept the award on behalf of NephCure, celebrating their collective efforts to make a meaningful impact.
About APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness:
APOL1 kidney disease is caused by genetic variations in both copies of the APOL1 gene, significantly increasing an individual’s risk of developing kidney disease—by as much as 10 to 30 times. These gene changes occur exclusively in people of African descent, including those who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, or Afro-Caribbean. NephCure’s campaign aimed to empower these communities with tools for early detection, education, and preventative care, fostering greater understanding and action.
Campaign Impact:
NephCure’s award-winning campaign was anchored by the inaugural National APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness Day, the first of its kind. The campaign sought to bring attention to the increased risk of kidney disease among individuals of African descent due to genetic variations in the APOL1 gene.
Through partnerships with more than ten community organizations, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and faith-based groups, the campaign brought kidney health awareness directly into the communities most affected. Over 300 individuals were screened for kidney disease during events held across the country. Attendees received educational materials, and more than 100 free T-shirts were distributed to encourage participation and engagement.
The campaign extended its outreach through email marketing efforts, which saw significant engagement. A “Save the Date” email was delivered to 2,929 recipients, achieving a 30.26% open rate and a click-through rate (CTR) of 2.9%. A follow-up email dedicated to APOL1 Day reached 2,993 recipients, with a 24.17% open rate and a CTR of 2.8%.
A virtual component of the campaign further amplified its reach. The first APOL1 webinar attracted 100 registrants, with 55 concurrent viewers and 93 total viewers through NephCure’s platform. Additionally, the event was streamed via Soulivity’s website, where it garnered over 89,000 viewers. The APOL1 Day webpage saw a 21% conversion rate, further illustrating the campaign’s effectiveness in inspiring action and awareness.
Acerca de NephCure:
NephCure’s mission is to empower people with rare, protein-spilling kidney disease to take charge of their health, while leading the revolution in research, new treatments, and care. As NephCure continues its mission, it remains dedicated to setting new benchmarks in health equity, creating opportunities for early intervention, and offering hope to communities in need. Founded in 2000 by a group of committed patient parents, NephCure has invested more than $40 million in kidney disease research and helped create a landscape where there are now more than 60 interventional drug trials for primary glomerular kidney diseases. NephCure is a U.S. tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.
Looking Ahead:
This Bronze Anthem Award reinforces NephCure’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals at risk for and living with rare kidney diseases. The APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness Campaign serves as a powerful example of how community-driven efforts and purposeful partnerships can drive meaningful change.
For more information about APOL1 Kidney Disease or to support NephCure’s work, please visit https://nephcure.org/.
