The programs and services provided by National Kidney Foundation (NKF) rely solely on the generosity of its donors. The organizations included on this page have distinguished themselves as truly dedicated partners to the NKF. To learn more about these exceptional organizations, please read the spotlight features below.
   
Even in a city known for its hospitality, service and style, the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno is a standout. The Peppermill's combination of luxury accommodations and amenities are consistent award-winners year after year, while its casino, dining and entertainment offerings guarantee an exciting stay for visitors of all interests.

Ever since its modest beginnings as a coffee shop nearly 40 years ago, the Peppermill has also believed strongly in giving back to the local community. And that commitment continues: on May 8, 2010 the Peppermill Casino will host the NKF's 2nd Annual Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament. The tournament, which last year raised over $110,000 for NKF programs in Northern Nevada, will again bring together amateur poker teams, pro-poker stars and celebrity guests for a daylong no-limit Hold'em tournament.

The NKF is grateful to the Peppermill for its generous support of this important fundraiser and, in particular, to George Kisler, Director of Casino Operations, and his world-class staff. To learn how you can get involved in this year's tournament, visit: www.kdneynca.org. And to learn more about the Peppermill Hotel Casino, visit: www.peppermillreno.com.

 
Siemens is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.

Over its long history, Siemens has also made a point of contributing to the communities where its many employees live and work. In Northern California, the company has been a longstanding contributor to San Francisco Authors Luncheon as a sponsor at the Pulitzer Prize level. NKF is grateful to Siemens, and in particular Peggy Leimpeter, for their support.

To find out how you or your company can become involved in the NKF's Authors Luncheon or other fundraisers, please visit www.kidneynca.org or call 415-543-3303.

 
The Guardsmen is a group of Bay Area men mobilizing their significant talents and resources to enhance and improve the lives of at-risk youth. This all-volunteer organization, founded in 1947, provides access to high-quality educational and outdoor activities for inner-city youth. The opportunities created through the Guardsmen's scholarship and campership programs mean that every year kids who otherwise would not have a chance at success are given the opportunity to excel as productive members of society.

Since 2007, the Guardsmen have also been valued supporters of the NKF's Kidney Kids Camp Program, which offers a weeklong summer camp vacation to underserved children coping with serious kidney disease or recovering from kidney transplant. Thanks to the generosity of the Guardsmen, dozens of at-risk, special needs children have been able to enjoy outdoor activities, make new friendships and learn valuable life-skills that will help them grow into healthy, independent adults.

The NKF is grateful to the Guardsmen for their support of this important program. The Foundation would also like to extend a special thank you to the Guardsmen's Campership Chairmen over the last several years, Will Noble, Bruce Ferry and Chris Simpson, for their support.

To learn more about how your organization can support Kidney Kids Camp or the other programs of the NKF, please contact Robert Griffin at 415-543-3303 x 108 or robert.griffin@kidney.org.

For more information, visit www.guardsmen.org.


   
In a city renowned for its spectacular entertainment and lavish hospitality, Reno's Grand Sierra Resort has distinguished itself as a top-notch destination in the "Biggest Little City." The Grand Sierra boasts nearly 2,000 spacious guest rooms and suites, ten outstanding dining options, movies, theaters, bowling, nightclubs, convention and meeting space and, of course, its 80,000 square foot casino floor -- easily the largest gaming floor in Northern Nevada.

On March 10th, the Grand Sierra generously turned over its poker floor to the NKF for its inaugural Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament. The event, which boasted a number of pro poker stars and celebrities, raised over $115,000 for the NKF's efforts in Northern Nevada.

The NKF is grateful to the Grand Sierra for its generous support of this successful event and the exceptional service of its staff, especially Charles Williams and Tom Sullivan.

For more information, visit www.grandsierraresort.com.


   
Takeda's mission is simple and compelling: the company is dedicated to serving patients by providing innovative products that improve their lives with better healthcare. The company is focused on a number of therapeutic areas related to the kidney patient community, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease itself.

Takeda believes its commitment to patients, employees, partners, and the larger community gives them the purpose to build on the tremendous success they enjoy as an emerging global leader in the pharmaceutical industry. This year, for the first time, Takeda provided a major sponsorship for the NKF's Medical Symposium on Kidney Disease, exemplifying this broad commitment to patients and improved healthcare.

NKF is grateful for Takeda's support and looks forward to future partnerships serving our regional kidney community.

For more information, visit: www.tpna.com.


   
Satellite Healthcare is one of the nation's first and largest providers of dialysis services and kidney disease care. With its affiliated services Satellite WellBound, Satellite Dialysis and Satellite Research, Satellite Healthcare provides early patient wellness education, personalized clinical services and a complete range of dialysis therapy choices.

This year, as Satellite Healthcare celebrates its 35th year of quality chronic kidney disease care in Northern California and beyond, the NKF is saluting the company's dedication not only to its own patient community, but to all those coping with CKD in the region. As one of the NKF's most longstanding and generous supporters, Satellite has helped the Foundation's patient service, disease education and prevention programs expand and serve tens of thousands of individuals in the region. Most recently, Satellite has provided program support via its presenting sponsorship of the 2008 Santa Cruz Golf Classic; as the largest sponsor of this year's San Francisco Authors Luncheon; its direct support for Peer training programs in Northern California; and its partnership in providing Legislative Advocacy programs with policymakers in Sacramento.

In addition to its support of the NKF, Satellite also recently endowed the Norman S. Coplon/Satellite Healthcare Professorship in Medicine. The professorship, named in honor of Satellite founder and longtime NKF Board Member, Dr. Norm Coplon, will be held by Glenn Chertow, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Nephrology at Stanford.

The NKF is deeply appreciative of Satellite's support of its programming, both financially and through the volunteer leadership of Dr. Coplon and numerous other Satellite employees. We look forward to continued partnership in the years to come.

For more information, visit www.wellbound.com.


   
MedeFinance is the recognized leader in healthcare analytics, providing healthcare organizations with next generation technology and services that enable them to improve performance. MedeFinance believes that better financial practices can benefit all aspects of healthcare, including the most important aspect: providing top quality care to patients.

And MedeFinance's commitment to improving healthcare performance extends beyond its clients. As a $7,500 sponsor of this year's 20th Annual San Francisco Authors Luncheon, MedeFinance's generosity will help fund critical NKF programs serving thousands of kidney patients.

The NKF is grateful to MedFinance for its support and, in particular, to the company's CTO/CIO, David Watson, a longtime Authors Luncheon supporter who was key to securing MedeFinance's sponsorship this year.

For more information, visit www.medefinance.com.


   
Wachovia Securities is one of the largest retail money managers in the United States, but no matter how large the company grows, it continues to be guided by the simple maxim: "We prosper by helping you prosper." The company remains dedicated to helping each of its clients reach their individual goals.

Wachovia Securities is also dedicated to helping build a healthier community both through its charitable giving and the volunteer leadership of its employees. Wachovia's generous support of the NKF's special events, including the San Francisco Authors Luncheon and Authors Series events, has helped the Foundation provide critical patient and disease prevention services throughout the region. In addition, Wachovia has lent the talents of its San Francisco Market Manager, Kevin Kitchin, to the NKF. Kevin, who recently completed his term as President of the NKF Board of Directors, has helped oversee the expansion of the Foundation both programmatically, financially and geographically.

The Foundation is grateful to Wachovia Securities for its longstanding support and to Kevin Kitchin for his past leadership and continued service as an NKF board member. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership in the years to come.

For more information, visit www.wachoviasec.com.

   
CBS 5 (KPIX-TV) and The CW 44cable 12 have a long history in the San Francisco Bay Area - as preeminent news, information and entertainment destinations. KPIX-TV was the 49th station nationwide to go on the air, the first in Northern California, and the fourth in California. The station became affiliated with CBS on April 18, 1949. The CW 44cable 12 began in 1968 as the first UHF station in the Bay Area.

CBS 5 has won many awards over the years for its news reporting and its service to the community. As part of the station's commitment to the community, KPIX continues to be a longtime supporter--more than thirteen years--of NKF's San Francisco Authors Luncheon. KPIX has produced and aired numerous public service announcements to help promote the luncheon. In addition, this year CBS promoted the Silicon Valley Kidney Walk & Run by donating dozens of commercials in the month leading up to the event. Reporter Thuy Vu was the host of the Opening Ceremonies and cheered on the walkers and runners as they left the starting line.

NKF is honored by the support of KPIX. The station has lent the power of its voice and its support to the dedicated work of the National Kidney Foundation. By supporting NKF, KPIX helps to give hope to the thousands of people in Northern California and Northern Nevada living with kidney disease. For more information, visit www.cbs5.com.

   
Affymax is a biopharmaceutical company whose objective is to discover, develop and commercialize novel therapeutics addressing large unmet medical needs, including those faced by hundreds of thousands of chronic kidney disease patients. Hematide, its lead product is currently entering Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure.

Affymax is a relatively new supporter of the NKF, but their participation in this year's Cityview Plaza Kidney Walk & Run has been extremely enthusiastic. Affymax has agreed to donate $100 for every Affymax employee or family member participating in the event and to date, thanks in large part to team leader Liz Collins, the company has recruited close to a hundred walkers!

"I was in my local coffee shop and noticed a poster for this year's Kidney Walk and was drawn immediately to the cause," explains Liz, "As an employee at Affymax, I know the many challenges faced by chronic kidney disease patients and understand their needs for quality healthcare services and medicines. It wasn't difficult to get my colleagues rallied behind this event and I'm proud that nearly 100 of my co-workers and their families are signed up to support this important benefit."

The NKF is grateful to Affymax for their generous financial donation and their employees' eagerness to participate in this year's walk. To find out more about the Cityview Plaza Kidney Walk & Run -- and how you or your organization can get involved -- visit: www.kidneynca.org.

   
The NKF is very pleased to spotlight a long time friend and supporter: Len Lippman, owner of Parenthetical Productions. Len has provided web site architecture, design, programming and animation for the NKF for nearly 5 years. His superior talent, attention to detail and deep understanding of electronic communication and marketing is an incredible asset to the NKF.

A kidney transplant recipient as of 1986, Len says he "is thrilled to be working with the Kidney Foundation," and provides his services to the NKF at a substantial discount, which has saved NKF thousands and thousands of dollars over the years.

Len's extraordinary talent and client service orientation has won him work from many prominent companies including: Warner Brothers, Visa, Capital One, Miller Brewing Co., Circuit City, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and NEC, to name just a few.

Len approaches every project with enthusiasm and an unwavering eye for detail, consistently yielding quality results. In fact most of his work comes from referrals and repeat business from satisfied clients.

The NKF thanks Len for his excellent work and contribution of his time and talents. For more information about Len and Parenthetical Productions, please visit www.parenthetical.com.

   
BPG Properties, Ltd. (BPG) is a private equity real estate fund manager with a proven track record in the acquisition, development and investment management of all major property types. Since 1980, BPG has been building value in a broad range of value-added real estate on behalf of its institutional investment partners. Each property in the firm's portfolio of office, multi-family, retail and industrial properties benefits from BPG's signature direct operating approach.

CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) is the global leader in real estate services, completing thousands of successful assignments each year. This volume creates market knowledge that allows CBRE to seize opportunities, speed the business process and create the most thorough, precisely accurate picture of global commercial real estate conditions and trends.

Both CBRE and BPG are deeply committed to sharing their corporate good fortune with community organizations like the NKF. CBRE Senior Managing Director Michael Smith has generously lent his time and talents to the NKF by joining its Board of Directors. And both companies have provided unmatched support for this year's Cityview Plaza Kidney Walk & Run.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 21 at Cityview Plaza in downtown San Jose. This new walk venue is owned by BPG and managed by CBRE. BPG is generously underwriting the event and CBRE is both recruiting 300 people for their team of walkers and runners and matching funds raised by CBRE employees. Both companies have also been instrumental in soliciting other corporate sponsorships for this year's Kidney Walk & Run by reaching out to the South Bay business community on behalf of the NKF.

The Foundation is extremely grateful to CBRE and BPG for their support and looks forward to continued partnership in years to come.

To find out how you or your company can become involved in the NKF's 2008 Kidney Walk fundraisers, please visit www.kidneynca.org/walk or call 415-543-3303 x 103.

   
An international business leader, Astellas aims to contribute to better health for everyone by developing innovative and useful pharmaceuticals and delivering them to patients around the world with outstanding levels of quality and reliability. The company believes strongly in standing alongside its patients in their fight against disease.

Astellas also stands alongside the NKF in its efforts to serve kidney and transplant patients in Northern California and Northern Nevada. The company has been a longtime supporter of NKF programs and, most recently, provided a $10,000 educational grant in support of the 40th Annual Medical Symposium on Kidney Disease.

The NKF is grateful to Astellas for their longtime commitment to our programs. We look forward to future partnerships in serving kidney transplant patients in our region.

Link to Astellas: http://www.us.astellas.com

   
The NKF is extremely pleased to announce Abbott Laboratories' continued partnership in 2008 through a generous grant of $75,000. This grant will fund programs serving thousands of kidney patients, at-risk individuals and medical professionals this year.

Founded nearly 120 years ago by one of the true pioneers of pharmaceutical medicine, Dr. Wallace Abbott, Abbott Laboratories has evolved into one of the nation's largest diversified healthcare companies with more than 60,000 employees worldwide. Today, Abbott develops, produces and markets products for patients in more than 130 countries.

Abbott has a longstanding commitment to supporting community health organizations both through financial contributions and through the generous volunteer efforts of their employees. Locally, Abbott has been a longtime supporter of the NKF's professional education programs, medical symposiums, patient education programs and special events.

Link to Abbott: http://www.abbott.com

   
The NKF is pleased to announce the awarding of a two-year, $40,000 grant from the San Francisco Foundation in support of the NKF's Chronic Kidney Disease Education Program. This grant will fund implementation of the program in collaboration with community health centers in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Foundation is one of the largest and most respected community foundations in the nation. Since its founding in 1948, the SFF has been a catalyst for change in the Bay Area, funding exemplary non-profit organizations in a wide range of fields, from the arts & culture to social justice, the environment to public health.

The NKF deeply appreciates the San Francisco Foundation's partnership in bringing comprehensive CKD Education resources to thousands of the most at-risk and underserved kidney patients in the Bay Area.

   
As a leader in the fields of dialysis provision, laboratory services and kidney disease research, Satellite Healthcare and its major divisions have been serving kidney patients in Northern California for more than thirty years. And for nearly as long, Satellite has been a dedicated supporter of the programs of the NKF, providing funding for prevention programs, patient services, professional education efforts and special events.

Satellite's commitment to the NKF has ensured the program growth necessary to meet the increasing challenge kidney disease poses to our community. In addition, as a longtime Board Member and former Board President, Satellite Founder and President, Dr. Normon Coplon has lent considerable insights to the direction of the Foundation.

The NKF deeply appreciates the continued support of Satellite Healthcare and looks forward to continuing this invaluable partnership in the years to come and "making lives better" for kidney patients in Northern California.