As we approach the end of the year, we are reminded that this season is not only about reflection and gratitude but also about caring for our neighbors who need us most. For thousands of Michigan residents living with kidney disease, the challenges they face extend far beyond medical treatment. Many are struggling with food insecurity and the ability to meet basic daily needs all while managing a life-altering condition.
Kidney disease is relentless. The financial strain—often paired with reduced work hours, caregiving responsibilities, and overwhelming medical costs—can quickly become devastating. More and more, patients are turning to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan for urgent assistance just to get through the month.
That is why our Patient Emergency Fund exists: to provide immediate, compassionate help when stability and dignity are at stake. This fund allows us to offer food assistance, support with utilities, essential medications, and other critical resources that keep patients safe, nourished, and connected to care.
Demand has grown dramatically—up more than 40% this year. Those on the front lines see the difference your support makes every day. A dialysis social worker in Muskegon recently shared:
“One of my patients flagged me down after dialysis to show me the new winter boots and heavy winter jacket purchased with the Patient Emergency Fund gift card. The patient had been wearing a hoodie before the Emergency Fund enabled him to buy the coat and boots.
Another patient expressed extreme relief that the Emergency Fund gift card arrived the same week when they needed a new tire to replace the ‘doughnut’ wheel on the vehicle they use to drive to and from dialysis.”
Your tax-deductible year-end gift will have a direct and immediate impact on Michiganders living with kidney disease. Just a single contribution can:
- Ensure a patient has healthy food that meets their medical needs
- Support a family facing an unexpected financial crisis
- Offer hope during one of the hardest journeys a person can face
In the Flint area, a patient struggling with homelessness was able to get access to food through a Walmart gift card provided by NKFM. He later shared how grateful he was for the support and that he felt heard and helped during a time when asking for help left him feeling judged and ashamed.
We hope you will consider making a generous gift today to strengthen the Patient Emergency Fund and help to ensure that no one in our kidney community goes without the essentials they need to survive and heal. The impact of your gift is immense. Many patients struggle during this time of year. Your support offers light during a dark time.
Thank you for your compassion, your partnership, and your belief in a healthier future for all Michigan families—from the Upper Peninsula to Southeast Michigan. Together, we can make this season brighter—and life a little better—for those who need it most.
With gratitude,
Linda Smith-Wheelock
Chief Executive Officer
National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
P.S. Your gift stays here in Michigan and helps patients right now!