The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois to Host Webinar on Crucial Gene
Learn Why African Americans Should Understand APOL1 and its Impact on Kidney Disease
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) wants to educate the public about an important gene. It’s inviting all physicians and African Americans to a webinar during Black History Month called, “How African Ancestry Can Affect your Kidneys: A Discussion on the APOL1 Gene.” The webinar takes place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT. Those who want to attend may register for this virtual event at https://www.nkfi.org/bhm-webinar. On tap to speak will be Monica Fox, NKFI Senior Director of Outreach & Government; Dr. Suneel Udani, MD, Nephrologist; and Joann Howard, patient.
Scientists have learned that originally AOPL1 devolved to protect Sub-Saharan West African people against African sleeping sickness. However, the risk of kidney disease in African Americans significantly increases when two copies of AOPL1 are inherited - one from each parent.
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NFKI) works closely with community leaders, healthcare professionals, and civic-minded corporate partners to improve the lives of patients and families affected by kidney disease. NKFI provides patients access to resources and information, hosts numerous educational events, supports innovative research, advocates for improvements in health care policy, and provides free kidney health screenings all across the state of Illinois.