August 2026 CKD Insider Newsletter
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to the Chronic Kidney Disease Insider Newsletter. If you are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, have had a kidney transplant or are helping care for someone who is, this newsletter was created for you! The CKD Insider Newsletter provides actionable information for you and your family to help you manage your health in consultation with your doctor.
In this month’s CKD Insider:
Latest News from Kidney Organizations
AAKP Annual Patient Meeting this September
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is hosting their National Patient Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas, from September 10th through 13th, focuses on empowering the kidney community through legislative advocacy, policy updates, and cutting-edge research. Over four days, the program offers practical strategies for managing kidney disease and covers everything from navigating Medicare and transplant readiness to nutrition, emergency planning, and shared treatment decisions. The meeting brings together patients, caregivers, and medical experts to foster connection and advance patient-centered kidney care.
This is a great opportunity to hear from other people going through the same challenges and successes as you are, whether you are the person with kidney disease or a care partner, there is a lot of great information shared that can potentially help you in your day to day life.
When: September 10th - 13th
Where: Little Rock, Arkansas or Virtual
Learn more and register here.
AKF Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program for Kidney Patients in Washington Affected by Wildfires
In August, severe wildfires near Spokane, Washington, burned 10,000 acres and destroyed over 900 buildings, forcing more than 67,000 residents to evacuate. In response, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) activated its disaster relief program to support dialysis and post-transplant patients in Washington state, providing $250 emergency disaster relief grants to low-income patients in affected counties. These funds cover replacement medications and kidney-friendly foods, as well as temporary housing and transportation to dialysis or medical facilities.
If you have been affected by Wildfires in Spokane, you can apply for aid at gms.KidneyFund.org or contact a social worker at your dialysis or transplant clinic.
Your Fun Tip of the Day
Make Time for Something That Makes You Smile
Life with CKD can mean a lot of appointments, medications, and things to keep track of, this is your reminder to take time to enjoy your life!
This week, put one thing on your calendar that’s just for fun, lunch with a friend, sitting outside, watching the sunset, enjoying a favorite show, or listening to a song that always makes you smile and want to dance!.
Treatments and Clinical Trials
Latest treatments for IgA Nephropathy
What it is: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease in which abnormal IgA antibodies build up in the kidneys and cause inflammation and damage. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure. The first treatment for IgAN was approved only five years ago, and, as of August 2026, the FDA has approved six medications specifically for IgAN:
1. Tarpeyo (targeted-release budesonide): Reduces production of harmful IgA antibodies.
2. Filspari (sparsentan): Reduces protein in the urine and slows kidney damage.
3. Fabhalta (iptacopan): Targets the complement system to reduce kidney inflammation.
4. Vanrafia (atrasentan): Reduces protein in the urine and slows kidney damage.
5. Voyxact (sibeprenlimab): Blocks APRIL, a protein involved in producing harmful IgA.
6. Trutakna (atacicept-vymj): Blocks BAFF and APRIL, reducing production of IgA antibodies.
Why it's important: We now have six FDA-approved treatment options for IgAN! While researchers continue to study and develop new treatments and combinations of existing treatments, doctors and scientists are working to match each patient with the best treatment options. Talk with your nephrologist and general physician to see which option is best for you.
aXess Clinical Trial
What it is: aXess is a new type of hemodialysis access that becomes part of your body as your cells grow into the implanted material. The aXess Pivotal clinical trial is currently enrolling participants. Participants in the trial see their own doctor.
Why it's important: aXess offers immediate access, much faster than traditional fistulas that must heal before use. In clinical trials to date, aXess has resulted in fewer infections and fewer reinterventions. The aXess should also offer long-term consistent access as it develops into natural tissue. Discuss with your nephrologist and see if this is a good option for you and determine your eligibility.
To learn more about the trial or enroll, click here.
Dining out on Dialysis
What it is: The latest podcast from Hot Topics in Kidney Health covered recommendations for dining out while on dialysis. The episode features Dietitian Lauren Levy and kidney patient and patient advocate Melissa Bensouda covering self-advocacy in restaurants, balancing quality of life with nutrition and clinical restrictions (fluid, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus), and using food-tracking tools like Cronometer.
The National Kidney Fund also has a very useful guide for navigating restaurants while on dialysis.
Here are a few takeaways:
Preparation & Self-Advocacy
Planning ahead helps reduce anxiety surrounding food and dining out.
Pay extra attention to what you eat before and after dining out, this way you can help compensate if you decide to indulge in certain foods.
If you are concerned about how meals are prepared you can call restaurants ahead of time during non-peak hours to check how meals are prepared and see if the kitchen can accommodate custom requests.
Ask the person who is taking your order to help you with your dietary plan. You can request sauces and dressings on the side, ask for no added salt during cooking, or request simple substitutions (e.g., steamed veggies instead of fries).
Nutrients to Watch:
Protein: Choose dishes that have high-quality protein (animal or plant-based) to prevent muscle loss and support healthy albumin levels. Order dishes with meat, eggs or lean protein.
Sodium: Avoid heavily processed or salty foods (e.g., soy sauce, French fries). Request that the dish be made without added salt.
Phosphorus: Avoid cheeses and opt for freshly cooked foods to avoid preservatives. If prescribed, take your phosphorus binders with you to the restaurant to take during the meal.
Potassium: Avoid tomato sauces and juice, tropical fruits and bananas, melons, orange juice, and potatoes.
Fluid: Follow your healthcare team's recommendations for fluid intake. Remember, fluid is not just water. Fluid is found in soups, ice cream, and many other foods.
Utilizing Mobile Tracking Tools:
Use nutrition-tracking apps like Cronometer to log meals, track nutrient intake (sodium, potassium, phosphorus), and accurately monitor fluid intake.
Use blood test result tracking tools that allow you to customize the results you want to track like OneTrackHealth so you can see the outcome of your meal choices.
Know someone who could use a kidney health boost and a smile? Share this newsletter and help them stay inspired and informed!
Download the OneTrackHealth app and keep the momentum going!
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