KFNWO is the only not-for-profit health agency of its kind in the area, and we have no ties to national groups. We are people from Northwest Ohio helping neighbors in our home community.

Success at the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio

We've had remarkable success at KFNWO in meeting our mission to empower patients to manage their kidney disease. Each year since 2008, we've helped more and more people who suffer from kidney disease, with direct financial assistance for medications, medical equipment, nutritional supplements, and transportation for dialysis.

 We've seen a 20% growth each year in the number of patients to whom we provide assistance, and we've more than doubled the annual amount of financial assistance we provide in that five year span (see graph above).

Most companies who experience 20% annual growth celebrate their success with bonuses and stock dividends. At KFNWO, we’re celebrating our success by asking for more support from our northwest Ohio community. In 2013, we are on track to provide cash assistance to over 600 patients; that’s over 100 more than we helped in 2012. 

Kidney Disease: A Public Health Threat

Kidney disease is a life-altering and often fatal condition. The number of Americans living with kidney disease has increased by 27% since 2008. Today there are more than 26 million adults living with kidney disease in the United States, and more than 5,000 people in Northwest Ohio are undergoing dialysis for kidney disease.

Kidney disease treatment takes a serious physical and emotional toll on the patient, family, and friends. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment, but patients endure treatment sessions that last three to five hours a day, three days a week for the rest of their lives.

Many patients are unable to continue working once dialysis is needed. The financial cost of dialysis, transportation to and from sessions, medications, nutritional supplements, and other treatments can exceed $70,000 a year. Even if health insurance covers some of these costs, co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses are too high for many in our community.

KFNWO Serves a Growing Need

Founded in 1966, the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio (KFNWO) is dedicated to helping people address kidney disease and related disorders through financial assistance, education, volunteerism, research, and development. The KFNWO provides much-needed services to hundreds of people in Northwest Ohio each year. The need for our services is growing.

Here for you. Here with you.