Risa Simon is an award-winning author, speaker, consultant, and preemptive living-donor kidney transplant recipient who has dedicated her life to helping fellow kidney patients pursue their best possible transplant outcome.
As Founder and CEO of 1Kidney.org, powered by her nonprofit TransplantFirst Academy, and Simon Says Seminars, Inc., Risa is transforming patient education by empowering people to find their voice, become proactive self-advocates, and confidently share their stories in the search for a living kidney donor.
Drawing from her own transplant journey—and decades of experience in patient education—Risa has created innovative resources designed to help patients take action, including The Donor Seeker® Story Planner & Search Guide for Finding Living Kidney Donors workbook, guided webinar—and exciting new Story Studio.
She is also the creator of the Donor Seeker® mobile app and online platform, and the author of Thriving Post Kidney Transplant, award winning children’s book for adults “Sydney’s Kidney Adventure“, “In Pursuit of a Better Life”, and “Shift Your Fate”—books that reflect her belief that knowledge, mindset, and proactive engagement can change the course of a patient’s journey.
Risa’s work has earned national recognition, including the National Kidney Foundation’s Patient Engagement Award and the American Association of Kidney Patients’ Samuel J. Orenstein Award. She has also been a pioneer and driving force behind Arizona’s Living Kidney Donors Day and the passage of Arizona’s Senate Bill 1100, which established important insurance protections for living organ donors.
Whether she’s speaking, mentoring, writing, creating patient resources, collaborating with kidney organizations and transplant centers, or consulting with industry partners, Risa’s mission remains the same:
To help her fellow kidney patients live longer, healthier lives—as they discover all that is possible as an active participant in their own care.
Today, you’ll find Risa paying it forward with her heart strapped to her sleeve, continuing to champion better choices, better education, and better outcomes for kidney patients.
What They’re Saying
“Risa has dedicated her extraordinary talent to bridging the gap for patients by creating accessible materials to pursue living donation.” —M. Blevins, UC-Davis Health Transplant Center
“Risa continues to bring energy, insight, and inspiration to our waitlisted patients with her transformative presentation. Her heartfelt message and expert guidance empowered attendees to find their voice, craft their stories, and take proactive steps toward attracting potential living donors.”—K. Crippen, Banner University Medical Center Transplant Institute
“Risa continues to be a valuable partner for us as she is continuously developing innovative ways to engage with patients.” —Veloxis Pharmaceuticals