What is Friends of Dialysis?
Who We Are
Welcome to the very first Friends of Dialysis (FOD) newsletter!
You may be wondering: “What is Friends of Dialysis?”
Friends of Dialysis is a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to giving dialysis patients — and the broader community — a sense of connection, care, and belonging in a warm, inclusive environment.
How It Started
Founded in 2019 at the University of California, Riverside, FOD was born from the belief that:
Sensitivity and empathy should guide every interaction — with patients, volunteers, and community members.
Since then, we’ve worked to uplift dialysis patients by offering:
Emotional support
Wellness kits for patients at treatment centers
A platform for volunteers to share kindness and compassion
Our Growing Impact
What started at UC Riverside has since expanded to chapters at UC Davis and California State University, Long Beach (2021) — inspiring students and volunteers across California.
What We Do
We create meaningful, hands-on opportunities for volunteers to make a difference, including:
Distributing wellness kits at dialysis clinics
Providing emotional support to patients
Raising awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Educating the public on preventative care and lifestyle habits
Empowering the community to make healthier life choices
We also share knowledge about early warning signs and conditions that increase CKD risk, helping people take control of their kidney health.
Friends Of Dialysis Kit Making Event
The UC Davis Chapter and Board making kits for the Satellite patients.
Kit-Making & Support Events
Whether through assembling wellness kits or simply offering a listening ear, our volunteers are building a supportive community around dialysis patients — one kind act at a time.
Our Promise
We recognize the physical, mental, and emotional toll of dialysis.
That’s why we are committed to treating everyone — patients, families, and volunteers — with respect, dignity, and genuine care.
Join the Movement
We’d love for you to be part of something truly meaningful.
Together, we can transform lives — one patient, one story, and one act of kindness at a time.
👉 Follow us on Instagram for updates and upcoming events:
@friendsofdialysis
FOD Volunteers/Board at the Satellite Dialysis Center
Written By Athela Fadul
Follow Us:
🌐 friendsofdialysis.org
📸 Instagram: @friendsofdialysis
📧 Email: info@friendsofdialysis.org
