The Hope Affair 2021

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) hosted its 13th annual gala, The Hope Affair, on Wednesday, October 20. The Hope Affair—the only event of its kind in the kidney community—celebrates the inspirational individuals who fight kidney disease every day, as well as the family caregivers and health professionals who take care of them. Typically an in-person gala, AKF transitioned The Hope Affair into a virtual event during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed thousands of more people from across the country to attend than would normally be possible. The theme for this year’s The Hope Affair was "Honoring the Past. Forging the Future.," a fitting way to highlight the moment in AKF’s history, as the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary. After 50 years of fighting kidney disease and helping people live healthier lives, AKF both looked back with pride on its past achievements and reflected on its vision for the future. The event was emceed by Emmy Award-winning news anchor Shawn Yancy, who broadcasted live from a studio in Washington, D.C. This event provided an opportunity to recognize the people at the heart of AKF’s work, without whom such a milestone anniversary would not be possible, including this year’s honorees, and to share the inspiring stories of those fighting kidney disease. The Hope Affair was truly a night to remember, and we are so grateful that we were able to share this event with so many people across the country and across the world.