Renal Support Network
Renal Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that delivers free, peer-led education, support groups, and advocacy programs to people living with chronic kidney disease across the United States, including dialysis patients, transplant recipients, and teens with kidney disease.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersGlendale, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Renal Support Network does
Renal Support Network (RSN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by Lori Hartwell, a kidney disease survivor since 1968 now living with her fourth transplant. The organization delivers free, peer-led education, emotional support, and advocacy programs to people living with chronic kidney disease across the United States, including dialysis patients, transplant recipients, teens and young adults aged 16-24, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Its core product surface is organized around three pillars. Educational content includes the KidneyTalk bimonthly magazine, the KidneyTalk podcast (running since June 2006 and distributed on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon, and iHeart), the KidneyTalk Blog authored by Lori Hartwell, the bilingual Neff & Nuff animated video series, and a Nutritional Information Database tailored to the kidney diet. Peer support services include online Zoom support groups (Kidney Kin Fitness, Kidney Kin Foodies, Kidney Kin Book Club, Get Creative) and the annual Renal Teen Prom. Advocacy and convening are delivered through the Kidney Care Champions Program, the 33-year-running Annual Patient Education Meeting (KidneyTalk Live), and the Annual Essay Contest, with a public-facing Kidney Transplant Dashboard providing national and state transplant data. Studio Hope, a charity boutique in Burbank, CA, and the $50 Share Your Spare living-donor awareness kit round out the offering.
RSN is funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships (with pharmaceutical and dialysis-sector partners such as Alexion, AstraZeneca, Akebia, U.S. Renal Care, Amgen, Ardelyx, and Kibow Biotech underwriting the Annual Patient Education Meeting at Diamond/Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers), and modest product sales. All programs are offered free of charge to patients and families, with membership likewise complimentary. The organization employs only persons living with chronic kidney disease, operates from Southern California (Glendale/Burbank), and runs with a staff in the 1-10 range. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Renal Support Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Renal Support Network
- Legal name
- Renal Support Network
- Website
- https://rsnhope.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Renal Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that delivers free, peer-led education, support groups, and advocacy programs to people living with chronic kidney disease across the United States, including dialysis patients, transplant recipients, and teens with kidney disease.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Renal Support Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Support & Education
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Kidney & Dialysis Remote Care (CKD/ESRD monitoring, home dialysis support) (HLALAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Renal Nutrition & Kidney Dietetics Services (HLAKAHAL)
Keywords
Where Renal Support Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glendale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Renal Support Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: RSN is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization receives donations from individuals and supporters. RSN members receive complimentary subscription to Bi-Annual KidneyTalk magazine, RenAlert E-News, and invitations to events at no charge.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies sponsor RSN's Annual Patient Education Meeting and other programs at various sponsorship levels (Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze).
- Share Your Spare Kit Sales: RSN sells 'Share Your Spare' Kidney Transplant Conversation Kits for a $50 donation. Each kit includes two plush kidneys, two information booklets, and an inspirational poem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Membership with full program access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Share Your Spare Kit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels13 records
Renal Support Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Renal Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit patient organization that provides free peer-driven education, emotional support, and advocacy services to people living with chronic kidney disease, dialysis patients, and kidney transplant recipients across the United States. Its core offerings include the KidneyTalk brand of magazine/podcast/blog content, virtual Kidney Kin peer-support communities, the Annual Patient Education Meeting, the Renal Teen Prom, an Annual Essay Contest, the Kidney Transplant Dashboard, the Neff & Nuff animated video series, and the Kidney Care Champions advocacy program. All programs are offered at no cost to patients and families.
Product overview
Renal Support Network (RSN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by Lori Hartwell that provides a comprehensive portfolio of peer-driven educational and supportive programs for people with kidney disease. The organization's offerings span three interconnected pillars: (1) Educational Content including KidneyTalk Magazine (bimonthly publication), KidneyTalk Podcast (online radio show), KidneyTalk Blog, and RSN's Nutritional Information Database; (2) Peer Support Services including Online Kidney Disease Support Groups, Kidney Kin Foodies, Kidney Kin Fitness, Kidney Kin Book Club, Get Creative groups, and the Renal Teen Prom; and (3) Advocacy including the Kidney Care Champions Program and Annual Patient Education Meetings. Additional offerings include the Kidney Transplant Dashboard for national/state transplant data, Neff & Nuff animated educational videos for pediatric audiences, the Share Your Spare organ donation awareness kit, Studio Hope Boutique, and the Annual Essay Contest. All programs are provided at no charge and are designed to help patients at any stage of kidney disease—early stages, dialysis, or post-transplant—become knowledgeable about their illness and proactive in their care.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KidneyTalk®: RSN's inspirational podcast and magazine providing education, encouragement and strategies to help navigate kidney disease
- Kidney Kin
- Studio Hope
- Neff & Nuff
- Hope Week
- Renal Teen Prom
Products and services
- KidneyTalk Magazine A bi-annual magazine providing education, encouragement, and strategies to help people who have kidney disease navigate the illness. Many articles are written by patients managing the illness firsthand. Free to RSN members.
- KidneyTalk Podcast An online half-hour radio talk show hosted by founder Lori Hartwell featuring healthcare professionals and people living successfully with kidney disease sharing practical advice. Distributed on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, and iHeart Radio.
- KidneyTalk Blog A blog authored by RSN Founder Lori Hartwell and special guest writers featuring personal stories and first-hand experiences of people living with chronic kidney disease, family members, and healthcare professionals.
- Kidney Transplant Dashboard A data visualization tool presenting kidney transplant information at national and state levels, designed to help patients, families, and friends understand transplant options.
- Online Kidney Disease Support Groups Monthly virtual support group meetings via Zoom where patients share experiences, strength, and strategies to live a hopeful and joyful life with kidney disease. Free to attend; registration required for privacy.
- Kidney Kin Foodies An online kidney diet support group led by Lubna Akbany, RDN, CSR, providing kidney diet tips and tricks from the perspective of both a kidney disease patient and a nutrition professional.
- Kidney Kin Fitness A weekly virtual fitness class with personal trainer Edina Tanacs, designed for people with kidney disease.
- Kidney Kin Book Club A virtual book club bringing passionate readers together to discuss inspiring stories related to kidney disease and chronic illness.
- Annual Essay Contest An annual writing competition inviting people living with kidney disease to share their stories and experiences. Running for 24 years.
- Neff & Nuff Animated Video Series An animated video series featuring two animated kidney stars (Neff & Nuff) that educates the public about kidney health, organ donation, and the importance of taking transplant medications. Available in English and Spanish.
- RSN's Nutritional Information Database A nutritional database resource for people with chronic kidney disease, those on dialysis, or kidney transplant recipients and their families, providing information about foods from raw ingredients.
- Share Your Spare Kidney Transplant Conversation Kit An organ donation awareness kit containing two plush kidneys, two information booklets, and an inspirational poem, provided in exchange for a $50 donation to help spread the word about living kidney donation.
- Renal Teen Prom An annual celebration of life for teens aged 16-24 who have or had kidney failure as a child, providing an opportunity to meet new friends and celebrate together. Held annually for 26 years.
- Annual Patient Education Meeting (KidneyTalk Live) An annual free patient education conference (KidneyTalk Live) presented for over three decades to people with kidney disease and their families. Combines in-person luncheon in Burbank, CA with a virtual Zoom meeting. Healthcare professionals also attend.
- Kidney Care Champions Program An advocacy program that educates elected officials about issues affecting people living with kidney disease, dialysis patients, and transplant recipients, providing tools and resources for constituents to engage with representatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- RSN has helped patients who were told they could not live with kidney disease for decades, demonstrating that longevity is possible with proper management and support.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Renal Support Network
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Renal Support Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Renal Support Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered diamond, gold, silver and bronze.
- Alexion PharmaceuticalsdiamondAlexion is a Diamond sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. Alexion focuses on rare diseases and provides educational content about kidney disease treatments.
- AstraZenecadiamondAstraZeneca is a Diamond sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company with kidney disease therapies.
- Akebia TherapeuticsgoldAkebia is a Gold sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. Akebia develops therapies for kidney disease.
- U.S. Renal CaresilverU.S. Renal Care is a Silver sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. U.S. Renal Care provides dialysis services.
- AmgenbronzeAmgen is a Bronze sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. Amgen is a global biotechnology company.
- ArdelyxbronzeArdelyx is a Bronze sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. Ardelyx focuses on kidney disease therapeutics.
- Kibow BiotechbronzeKibow Biotech is a Bronze sponsor of RSN's 33rd Annual Patient Education Meeting. Kibow develops probiotic supplements for kidney health.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Renal Support Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Umbrella rare-disease advocacy organization providing patient education, peer support navigation, and policy advocacy. Comparable to RSN in the patient-advocacy operating model, though NORD serves a much broader condition footprint including rare kidney diseases.
- American Diabetes Association: Large chronic-disease patient advocacy organization providing education, community programs, and advocacy for a patient population that overlaps RSN's since diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Comparable in operating model but at vastly larger scale and broader disease scope.
- National Kidney Foundation (NKF): The largest and most established U.S. kidney disease nonprofit, operating across patient education, research funding, advocacy, and clinical guidelines. NKF is a broad incumbent that overlaps RSN on patient education and advocacy but operates at materially larger scale with paid staff and programs nationwide.
- American Kidney Fund (AKF): National kidney-focused nonprofit best known for direct patient financial assistance and kidney disease education. Comparable to RSN in the kidney patient-support space, though AKF's flagship is financial grants while RSN's is peer-driven education and support.
Direct peers
- NephCure Kidney International: Nonprofit focused on rare kidney diseases (FSGS, nephrotic syndrome) that combines patient education, peer community, advocacy, and research funding — directly comparable to RSN in operating model and kidney patient community focus.
- American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): National kidney patient advocacy nonprofit directly comparable to RSN in mission: patient education, peer support, advocacy, and policy engagement for people with kidney disease. AAKP is the most direct head-to-head peer for RSN's patient-community model.
- Dialysis Patient Citizens: Dialysis-patient-led advocacy nonprofit providing education, peer support, and policy advocacy for people on dialysis — closely overlapping with RSN's dialysis patient segment and community-led model.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKD Foundation): Disease-specific patient advocacy and research nonprofit that mirrors RSN's structure: peer support, patient education, advocacy, and fundraising for a defined kidney patient population. Highly comparable as a kidney-focused patient community organization.
Emerging players
- Inspire (Inspire.com): Operator of online health communities including kidney disease communities, providing patient-to-patient discussion, resource libraries, and research partnerships. Comparable as a digital kidney peer-support platform with a broader multi-condition footprint.
Others
- National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA): Professional association for dialysis and kidney care providers, adjacent to RSN as a kidney ecosystem stakeholder that connects dialysis providers, nephrologists, and patient-serving organizations — relevant ecosystem peer though not a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Renal Support Network social profiles
Digital presenceRenal Support Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Renal Support Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Renal Support Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Renal Support Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Renal Support Network
What does Renal Support Network do?
Renal Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit patient organization that provides free peer-driven education, emotional support, and advocacy services to people living with chronic kidney disease, dialysis patients, and kidney transplant recipients across the United States. Its core offerings include the KidneyTalk brand of magazine/podcast/blog content, virtual Kidney Kin peer-support communities, the Annual Patient Education Meeting, the Renal Teen Prom, an Annual Essay Contest, the Kidney Transplant Dashboard, the Neff & Nuff animated video series, and the Kidney Care Champions advocacy program. All programs are offered at no cost to patients and families.
Is Renal Support Network a public or private company?
Renal Support Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Renal Support Network founded?
Renal Support Network was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Renal Support Network based?
Renal Support Network is headquartered in Glendale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Renal Support Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and share Your Spare Kit Sales.
Who are Renal Support Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), American Diabetes Association, National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and American Kidney Fund (AKF). Direct peers are NephCure Kidney International, American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), Dialysis Patient Citizens and Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKD Foundation). Inspire (Inspire.com) is listed as an emerging player. National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) is listed as an others.
Does Renal Support Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Renal Support Network.
What industry is Renal Support Network in?
Renal Support Network's product category is Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Support & Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLALAFAC, Kidney & Dialysis Remote Care (CKD/ESRD monitoring, home dialysis support), with a secondary code of HLAKAHAL, Renal Nutrition & Kidney Dietetics Services. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.