Sample Newsletter Article for AKF Partners
Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure represent a health crisis in the United States. Kidney
disease is a serious and increasingly common condition damaging the health of as many as 31
million Americans—with many millions more at risk for kidney disease. [Organization Name] has
Paired Up with the American Kidney Fund in the fight to prevent kidney disease.
The American Kidney Fund’s campaign, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease,
draws national attention to kidney disease, which is most often caused by diabetes or high
blood pressure, and can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death. The campaign
empowers women to protect themselves—and the people they love—from kidney disease.
Most cases of kidney disease could be prevented. Unfortunately, nine out of 10 people with
early kidney disease don’t know they have it because kidney disease has few warning signs in
the early stages. According to a national survey conducted by the American Kidney Fund:

85 percent of respondents could not name high blood pressure as a leading cause of
kidney disease. Alarmingly, the majority of respondents (74 percent) have a loved one
with high blood pressure.

More than two-thirds (69 percent) could not name diabetes as a leading cause of kidney
disease, despite the fact that 55 percent have a loved one with diabetes.
How Pair Up Works
Pair Up encourages women to join the fight against kidney disease by taking two simple actions:
Learning if they’re at risk for kidney disease and spreading the word about kidney disease to
friends and loved ones who also may be at risk. Women may join Pair Up by logging on to
PairUpNow.org and taking the Pair Up Challenge, an interactive quiz that teaches them about
common risk factors for kidney disease and simple steps to take care of their health. Women
may also invite their loved ones to take the Pair Up Challenge and pledge to fight kidney
disease together. Pair Up also empowers women to partner with a friend or loved one to attend
a free event in their area to learn their risks, get tested for kidney disease if they are at risk and
seek advice from their doctor. Pair Up offers many additional resources to prevent kidney
disease including educational materials, patient advocacy information, and other resources to
stay informed and stay healthy.
About the American Kidney Fund
The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial
support to patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts. The American Kidney
Fund leads the nation in providing charitable assistance to dialysis patients who need help with
the costs associated with treating kidney failure. Last year, nearly 90,000 people—almost 1 out
of every 4 dialysis patients in the United States—received assistance from the American Kidney
Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses. Millions of people
nationwide benefit annually from the American Kidney Fund’s efforts to fight kidney disease
through health education and prevention efforts. The American Kidney Fund’s national
campaign, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease, empowers women to protect
themselves—and the people they love—from kidney disease. The American Kidney Fund offers
free kidney health screenings in communities nationwide, as well as extensive online health
education materials and courses and a toll-free health information HelpLine (866.300.2900).