The Fresenius Medical Care Foundation is proud to announce a $50,000 grant to the American Transplant Foundation to help launch LIVING+, a new U.S. initiative designed to expand access to living donor kidney transplantation—a lifesaving option that remains out of reach for far too many patients.
This early investment will launch Phase 1 of LIVING+, an initiative designed to help patients navigate the complex and often uneven U.S. transplant system. Unlike countries with universal healthcare, access to transplant evaluation and education in the United States varies widely based on insurance coverage, income, geography, and other social factors. Minority and underserved communities face additional barriers, including longer wait times, limited access to reliable information, and fewer opportunities for support throughout the process.
To address these gaps, LIVING+ will develop culturally and linguistically tailored patient education, expand peer mentorship, and scale a virtual care model inspired by Dr. Jim Rodrigue’s “Transplant House Calls.” This model brings transplant expertise directly to patients at home through personalized video visits, helping them understand the process, identify practical barriers, and stay engaged in their care. Together, these efforts aim to make the transplant pathway more accessible, equitable, and navigable for those who currently experience the greatest obstacles.
“Persistent inequities continue to limit access to kidney transplantation,” said Benjamin Hippen, MD, FASN, FAST, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Affairs at Fresenius Medical Care and Advisory Committee Member for the Foundation. “These disparities lead to longer dependence on dialysis and poorer outcomes for vulnerable populations. Without targeted interventions like LIVING+, these inequities will remain deeply entrenched. We are proud to partner with the American Transplant Foundation to help change that.”
This grant reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness of kidney disease and transplantation as a lifesaving solution—and a track record investing in innovative programs that move the field forward across the U.S. None of this work happens without you.
If this work inspires you, we invite you to continue this journey with us. Your donation helps turn possibility into access, and access into lifesaving care.
Click here to make a taxdeductible contribution and support the Foundation’s investments in kidney transplantation.
