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NephCure, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding better treatments and a cure for rare kidney diseases, is proud to announce the second annual APOL1 Kidney Disease Awareness Day, taking place on April 29, 2025. This day is dedicated to raising national awareness of APOL1 kidney disease, which is a genetic form of kidney disease that disproportionately affects people of African ancestry.
APOL1 kidney disease is caused by specific changes in the APOL1 gene, which can lead to an increased risk of developing kidney disease. People who inherit certain APOL1 gene variants may be more likely to develop kidney disease, making education, awareness, and advocacy around this condition critical for early intervention and equitable care.
To honor this important day, NephCure invites everyone to participate in the following awareness opportunities:
Join the Virtual Town Hall on April 29 at 7PM ET
NephCure will host a free, live virtual APOL1 Awareness Day Town Hall event featuring powerful perspectives and expert insights from leading voices in the kidney and health equity space, including:
- Dr. Keisha Gibson, MD, MPH – A pediatric nephrologist from UNC Chapel Hill.
- Corynne Corbett – Representing Black Health Matters.
- Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC – A clinical genetic counselor from Harvard University.
Spread Awareness on Social Media
Download the toolkit and share NephCure’s APOL1 kidney disease awareness graphics and patient stories on your social media channels, don’t forget to tag @NephCure.
Fast Facts About APOL1 Kidney Disease:
- African Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population, but account for nearly 35% of people with kidney failure in the U.S.
- 1 in 8 African Americans is at risk of a genetic form of kidney disease (caused by the APOL1 gene mutations).
- APOL1 kidney disease is particularly aggressive and currently has no FDA-approved treatments.
- Approximately 40% of African Americans on dialysis have kidney failure caused by APOL1.
NephCure’s APOL1 Awareness Day efforts would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and Maze Therapeutics.
To register for the Town Hall on April 29th and learn more about APOL1 awareness efforts, click here.
About 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. 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 new treatments and more than 60 interventional drug trials for rare kidney diseases. NephCure is a U.S. tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.
