Society

Fresenius Medical Care operates dialysis facilities in many regions of the world, with diverse geographic, societal and economic conditions. As kidney dialysis patients need treatments every two to three days to survive, we have developed a robust emergency response program, which enables us to operate smoothly in the event of crisis or disaster. To continue providing our patients with their vital dialysis treatment, even in extreme conditions, we have established a system of regionally organized emergency response teams. Their task is to protect patients and employees in emergency situations and to give patients the best possible care, even under extremely difficult conditions. In addition to our disaster response activity, we donate funds, dialysis machines and medical supplies to organizations that urgently require help.

In the U.S., we are working with Renal Support Network (RSN) to empower people living with chronic kidney disease. Together, we are helping patients and their families become knowledgeable and proactive about their care. We believe support networks such as RSN are critical to holistic care.

In the U.S., we are partnering with the National Kidney Foundation to support the fight against kidney disease, one step at a time. During the last years our employees joined at several Kidney Walks organized by the National Kidney Foundation to raise money.

In the U.S., we are working closely with the American Nephrology Nurses Association’s (ANNA) scholarship program to provide funding for nurses, so they can become members, attend meetings, and work toward certification in nephrology.

We are empowering patients, reaching prospective donors, and mobilizing employees. In 2018, we launched the Fresenius Medical Care Foundation in the U.S. with the goal to raise awareness and provide support to people living with kidney disease.

The Fresenius Medical Care Foundation partners with the nation’s leading organ transplant organization, Donate Life America, to bring to market innovations that will profoundly change the kidney donation process. Through the development of the first-ever home testing kit for living donors and the first national, universal living donor registry, we will create a platform that makes it easier to identify living donors and match them to patients in need.

Watch the story about how Melinda became a living donor to help her friend's husband: A selfless act to give life back.

The kidney transplant waiting list is getting longer, and in response, the National Kidney Foundation has developed its "The Big Ask – The Big Give" program. With the help of workshops and other information campaigns it raises awareness and educates kidney patients, their families, and friends about living kidney donation and transplantation. The Fresenius Medical Care Foundation has invested in the growth of the initiative.