IgA Nephropathy Foundation launches first PSA campaign for rare kidney disease awareness

By AI, Created 4:20 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The IgA Nephropathy Foundation marked its 22nd anniversary with a new public awareness push, including a nationwide PSA campaign, baseball events and state proclamations for IgA Nephropathy Day. The effort aims to boost earlier diagnosis, patient support and research for the rare kidney disease also known as Berger’s Disease.

Why it matters: - IgA Nephropathy is a rare kidney disease that can be harder to spot and diagnose early, which makes public awareness and patient education central to better care. - The Foundation’s new campaign is designed to expand understanding of symptoms, strengthen support for families and build momentum for research. - The effort also ties disease awareness to legislative recognition and community events, widening the reach beyond patients and clinicians.

What happened: - The IgA Nephropathy Foundation launched its first public service announcement campaign, “Are You IgAN Aware?”, as part of its 22nd anniversary year. - The campaign aims to educate the public about the signs, symptoms and realities of living with IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s Disease. - The Foundation also ran a weeklong IgAN Spirit Week with patients, care partners, advocates, clinicians and supporters across the country. - The anniversary push included 22 Major League Baseball games in the U.S. and Canada under the “Strike Out IgAN” theme. - In New York, the Foundation received the Amazin’ Award and a special on-field recognition ceremony at Citi Field.

The details: - The Foundation said the PSA campaign will run throughout the year across digital, social, broadcast and community platforms. - The campaign is intended to encourage patients to seek specialized care and support. - The Foundation has helped secure May 14 as IgA Nephropathy Day, marking 22 years since the organization was officially incorporated. - Completed proclamations or resolutions have been secured in Alabama, Arizona, British Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. - The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators is also listed among the completed recognitions. - Carlos Cristi, coordinator of legislative advocacy, said the proclamations represent “hope, visibility, and progress” for families living with the disease. - Cristi said the Foundation’s ambassadors have turned personal stories into advocacy that is helping put IgAN on the map across North America. - The Foundation was founded in 2004 and says it is the only organization solely dedicated to IgA Nephropathy. - The organization offers patient support programs, educational resources, advocacy initiatives, financial assistance and research funding. - The Foundation is expanding global recruitment for its newly launched IgAN Hope Patient Registry, which it describes as a first-of-its-kind international initiative.

Between the lines: - The baseball partnerships and ballpark recognition suggest the Foundation is using mainstream sports visibility to reach audiences that may not otherwise encounter a rare disease campaign. - The mix of proclamations, PSA outreach and patient registry recruitment points to a broader strategy: awareness first, then advocacy and research participation. - The yearlong campaign indicates the anniversary is being used as a platform for sustained messaging rather than a one-time event.

What’s next: - The “Are You IgAN Aware?” campaign will continue through the year across multiple media channels and community events. - The Foundation said more proclamations and resolutions are still in progress. - The IgAN Hope Patient Registry will continue recruiting participants globally to support future research and improve outcomes for people living with IgAN. - More information is available at iganaware.org.