What is A hill day?
A Hill Day is a dedicated day when AAKP members travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with Members of Congress and their staff to discuss critical issues related to kidney health and/or current legislation under consideration. Hill Days provide an opportunity to share personal stories managing your condition, highlight the challenges and unique needs of kidney patients, and advocate for policy changes that improve the quality of life and health outcomes for those affected by kidney diseases.
A Hill Day includes a series of meetings, held either in-person or virtually, that allows us to build meaningful relationships with our elected officials and provide solutions, urging their support for key kidney health initiatives, programs, or legislation.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hill Days transitioned to fully virtual formats, often allowing for extended and more flexible meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. Today, virtual Hill Days remain an important option due to the increased risks kidney patients continue to face from COVID-19 and other illnesses. However, some Hill Days are returning to in-person meetings in Washington, D.C.
AAKP’s advocacy success is driven by grassroots efforts. Your voice and lived experiences help policymakers understand the importance of kidney health to individuals, families, and society as a whole – as AAKP defines kidney disease as both a healthcare and workforce issue.
Austin Lee
AAKP Ambassador
Maryland
Thank you for inviting me to participate in this event, I’m glad I did!
I found the staff members we talked with to be interested, attentive, and receptive. Most of the staff were knowledgeable and seemed eager to understand more about what our concerns are for kidney patients as well as were inspired by our personal stories. Overall, I feel we were effective in showing them how these topics on Kidney Education can affect patients and how important the decisions they make are to us.
Brandi Nunez
AAKP Ambassador
Louisiana
I LOVED being able to speak directly to congressional staff about important topics. The speaking guides were super useful to keep on screen while speaking. I liked being paired with folks who had personal stories. It was a good balance of their experience and mine.
why advocacy matters
Advocacy is the cornerstone of change. By sharing your voice, your story, and your experiences, you help policymakers understand the real-life impact of their decisions on individuals and families. For kidney patients, advocacy means driving policies that improve patient consumer choice and access to all available treatments, advance research, and enhance quality of life, because every kidney patient has the right to pursue their life goals and aspirations just like any other American.
Every conversation, every letter, and every meeting with elected officials builds momentum toward a brighter future. Together, we can influence positive legislation and ensure that kidney health remains a priority for our nation. Your voice matters—be a part of the change!
We need your help to continue making a difference—together, we can ensure kidney patients are heard and supported!
Lisa Custer
AAKP Ambassador
Oregon
I wanted to thank you both for allowing me to participate in AAKP's First Virtual Hill Event. I can honestly say that I was very comfortable and confident on how the day went. The platform was very user friendly, the color and font displayed looked real clear and crisp. The information / resource display regarding legislative issues, alerting Congress, and voting record on the right-hand side was really helpful too.
I was very comfortable in each meeting, it felt so right to me, and this was a real success for me and AAKP.
how to join
Interested in making a difference? Become an AAKP member and stay informed about the latest developments in kidney health through our Action Center and Action Alerts. As a member, you'll receive updates on critical issues, opportunities to engage with policymakers, and opportunities to advocate for policies that improve kidney care and patient outcomes.
Take your involvement a step further by becoming an AAKP Ambassador! Ambassadors are passionate advocates who support AAKP’s mission. Ambassadors represent the kidney community, share their personal stories, and inspire change at the local, state, and national levels.
Together, we can amplify our voices and advocate for kidney patients everywhere!
training and skills building
Whether you’re new to advocacy efforts and Hill Days, or you’re a seasoned pro, check out AAKP’s patient engagement and advocacy training and skills building sessions available OnDemand!
Access all AAKP’s OnDemand training sessions at https://bit.ly/AAKPSkillsTraining.
advocacy highlights
1969 – AAKP founded in New York by 6 kidney patients.
1971 – AAKP co-founder Shep Glazer performs his dialysis in front of U.S. Congress!
1972 – U.S. Congress authorizes dialysis for all kidney failure patients, noting it is a bridge to transportation.
1973 – President Nixon signs bipartisan law creating national dialysis care. Over 1 million lives saved since 1973.
2013 – President Obama signs bipartisan law allowing HIV positive organ transplants for HIV positive patients.
2018 – U.S. Department of Labor extends Family Medical Leave (FMLA) protections to living kidney donors, protecting their jobs.
2019 – President Trump signs bipartisan Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health. Patient consumer care choice and innovations like the artificial kidney are accelerated.
2020 – President Trump signs bipartisan law establishing lifetime immunosuppressive drug coverage for kidney transplant patients.
2023 – President Biden signs bipartisan law modernizing the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) via greater competition and oversight.
Ambassadors in Action!
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