Inspiring Kidney Disease Patients to Proactively Secure a Kidney Transplant
BEFORE They Need Dialysis By Searching for Living Kidney Donors.
Already On Dialysis?
Hello Website Visitors—Welcome to TransplantFirst Academy!
Hello kidney patients and advocates! My name is Risa Simon. I’m the founder and CEO of TransplantFirst Academy (TFA), and I’m thrilled you stopped by! Our mission is all about empowering kidney disease patients, just like you, to proactively fight for a better quality of life. The life I, and many of our TFA Champions, now live.
This is what we want for YOU!
I know firsthand how patient education models lack preemptive (live-donor) kidney transplant encouragement. From delayed treatment discussions to over saturated dialysis education, to fistula-first campaigns—the vast majority of kidney patients are being robbed of their best chance to secure their best option: A preemptive kidney transplant from a living kidney donor.
TransplantFirst Academy was created by patients for patients who get you. We exist to positively disrupt the our community’s broken patient engagement system. We hope to empower the lion share of kidney patients who could benefit from proactively advocating for a preemptive transplant (before they required dialysis or soon thereafter).
Proactive patient self-advocacy can open up a whole new world full of hope and second chances. A world that the majority of kidney patient never knew existed before they were tethered to a dialysis machine. It’s time to pump up the volume and expand preemptive opportunities by snapping out of the hypnotic trance that you have time.
The clock is ticking and every second counts. We invite you to grab our inspirational tips and march full-steam-ahead as we lead the way to helping you increase awareness in your need for a living kidney donor. Take advantage of our online content, inspirational books, motivational videos, and our revolutionary “Donor Seeker” mobile app (Apple & Android).
Our Mission & Purpose
TransplantFirst Academy’s (TFAs) mission is to educate and inspire kidney disease patients (who could benefit from a transplant) to proactively seek a preemptive kidney transplant before they require dialysis. TFA also empowers dialysis patients by inspiring them to share their story and build a team to help them find a living kidney donor who can end their transplant wait.
Getting a transplant shouldn’t be a herculean effort, but it seems that way when its introduced late in the game— when patients are on the ledge of requiring dialysis—or already tethered to a machine. Preemptive transplant options must also be introduced as the best option in earlier stages of disease, and not as an afterthought.
Our hope is to empower kidney patient outcomes by removing the stifling haze hovering over proactive self-advocacy. We stand strong on the patient’s right to know their best option and their ability to voice their choice so they can live their best life possible.
Who We Serve
TransplantFirst Academy’s target audience includes kidney disease patients and their loved ones, healthcare providers, transplant centers, social workers, nurse coordinators, dialysis units, and end stage renal disease (ESRD) networks that support early transplant referrals and both preemptive and non-preemptive, living kidney donor transplants. We also support kidney patient organizations and divisions of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that oversee kidney patient education while also inspiring kidney care providers.
The Patient Comes First!
Our engagement platforms are rooted in patient-centered education and patient engagement first and foremost—without exception. Our Goal is Simple: We encourage kidney patients to become their own best advocate and work a strategic plan to achieve their best life possible.
We provide information and inspiration beyond the confines of a nephrologists exam room. While we do not provide medical advice, we do provide a platform full of proactive “feel-good” patient education and engagement.
