Programs and Services - Patient and Community Services
Information and Referral
Medical Alert Jewelry
Summer Camp Scholarships
Transplant Games
Support Groups
Health Fairs
Patient and Family Council
transAction Council
National Donor Family Council
Living Donation
Information and Referral
The National Kidney Foundation of Iowa provides information to the public on a variety of health issues including kidney disease, urological diseases, and transplantation. We have a variety of educational brochures and booklets available through our office. In addition, please see our Educational Resources.
Brochures are available online in PDF format.
Medical Alert Jewelry
This program provides dialysis and transplant patients with medical jewelry at no charge. Medical Alert Jewelry application forms are available at dialysis and transplant units throughout our territory or click on the link below to download the PDF form.
Download the Medical Alert Jewelry Order Form in PDF format.
Summer Camp Scholarships
Grants are given to pediatric patients to cover travel costs and tuition for summer camp. Camp ChiMer in Missouri offers an opportunity for children on dialysis or who have had a kidney transplant to experience summer camp just like everybody else. For information on summer camp grants please contact our office.
U.S. Transplant Games/Team Iowa
The U.S. Transplant Games is a four-day athletic competition among recipients of organ transplants. Competition in the U.S. Transplant Games is open to anyone who has received a lifesaving solid organ transplant: heart, liver, kidney, lung, and pancreas. Bone marrow recipients are also eligible to participate. As much as the Games is an athletic event that calls attention to the success of organ and tissue transplantation, it is also a celebration of life among recipients, their families, and friends.
The purposes of the U.S. Transplant Games are:
- To demonstrate to the public the collective and individual successes of the life-restoring therapy of organ transplantation.
- To use the mass media to promote the success of organ donation and transplantation and to call attention to the need for organ donation through events and support activity before, during, and after the event.
- To contribute to the successful rehabilitation of the nation's transplant patient community.
- To involve the entire transplant community– including physicians, allied professionals, patients, donor families and related organizations– in a collaborative effort for the benefit of organ donation.
- To provide an opportunity for these goals to be achieved locally by NKF Affiliates and other participating organizations.
The National Kidney Foundation of Iowa sends a group of athletes to every U.S. Transplant Games. For information on how to join Team Iowa, contact us.
View the official website of the U.S. Transplant Games.Iowa Transplant Support Groups
Support Groups offer donor family members, as well as transplant recipients and their families, continual support regarding many aspects of organ/tissue donation and transplantation. Currently there are ten support groups scattered throughout Iowa in an attempt to be convenient to all who may wish to utilize their services. In addition to discussing donation/transplantation issues, many groups invite speakers to discuss general health care topics as well. View the support groups.
Health Fairs
We participate in health fairs statewide, providing the public with free blood pressure screenings and educational materials.
Patient and Family Council
The Patient and Family Council (PFC) was founded in 1995 by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for people with kidney disease and their families. It is one of three NKF Constituent Councils. It provides an avenue for patients to express their concerns and identify problems so that the Foundation can help address those concerns and problems in an effective way. The Patient and Family Council is the fastest growing and largest patient organization dedicated to issues affecting individuals with kidney disease and their families. The Council acts as a liaison between the NKF and the kidney community, and as a voice within the NKF on patient issues.
Mission Statement
PFC serves to strengthen patient and family involvement in all National Kidney Foundation activities and guides the Foundation's work in accomplishing its ultimate goal...the total eradication of all diseases of the kidney and urinary tract.
Learn more about the Patient and Family Council or become a member.
transAction Council
The transAction Council was founded in 1996 to address the unique needs and concerns of all individuals who have received or await a transplant of any type. Membership is free. The Council is open to all recipients and candidates, family members, friends, and health care professionals. Other concerned individuals may also join.
Mission Statement
The mission of the transAction Council is to serve and represent the interests of all transplant candidates and recipients by:
- Working to improve the quality of life of transplant recipients.
- Striving to enhance sensitivity to their needs.
- Helping to articulate their experiences and perspectives.
- Encouraging recipients to actively participate in their healthcare, thereby improving the effectiveness of the transplant process.
- Developing programs and services to meet the specific needs of our constituency.
- Partnering with individuals and transplant related organizations.
- Promoting donor awareness by demonstrating the success of transplantation.
Learn more about the transAction Council or become a member.
National Donor Family Council
The National Kidney Foundation founded the National Donor Family Council (NDFC) in 1992 as a home for donor families. With over 10,000 donor family and professional members, the Council is the largest organized group of donor families in the world, representing donors of all organs and tissues (not just kidney).
With the help of the National Kidney Foundation, The NDFC supports the needs and expectations of donor families and assists the healthcare professionals who work most closely with these families. The Council works collaboratively with organizations in the transplant, bereavement, and professional communities.
Through dedicated service to the families of those who gave the gift of life, the NDFC provides a strong, unified voice in meeting donor family needs and providing a safe haven as they learn to live without the ones they love.
Learn more about the National Donor Family Council or become a member.
Living Donation 
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF), leader in patient education and support, is developing new ways to support living organ donors, potential donors, healthcare professionals, family, and friends. Through educational and support resources, consensus conferences with medical professionals, and legislative initiatives, the NKF works to represent living donor views on:
- Education and information needs for families and professionals.
- Public policy issues to improve the care provided to donors.
- Medical concerns before, during, and after donation.
- Financial, employment, and insurance issues before, during, and after donation.
- Emotional issues surrounding living donation.
- Relationships with recipients and family members.
- The live donor experience.
View the Living Donors website.
