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Ambassador Program

Announcing the IgA Nephropathy Foundation’s Ambassador Program!

The IgA Nephropathy Ambassador Program

IgA Nephropathy remains poorly understood. For far too many people, the journey with IgA Nephropathy is a struggle, often filled with misinformation, sometimes years of medical uncertainty, or not knowing where to turn. It’s easy to feel alone and isolated. We are set to change this!

With the launch of our Ambassador Program in early 2023, we’ve been able to extend the voice and geographic reach of the Foundation across the U.S. and globally – harnessing the power of our IgA Nephropathy community to support, inspire, engage, and activate patients and caregivers, near and far.

Through this program, our trained ambassadors serve as our “boots on the ground,” helping to advance our mission and raise critical awareness of IgA Nephropathy, grow our IgAN family, push for better treatments, and reach patients and caregivers earlier in their journey, empowering them to take charge of their kidneys and overall health.

Ambassadors rally around four core focus areas: 

Peer support

Awareness & education

Community outreach & partnerships

Patient empowerment & engagement

At the heart of the Ambassador program are our stories, connections and a shared vision to raise awareness of IgAN and meet patients and their loved ones earlier in their journey to engage and empower them with vital information and support.

Become an IgA Nephropathy Foundation Ambassador

Are you a born leader? Want to inspire others? Do you believe deeply in our mission? The IgA Nephropathy Foundation is currently looking for self-motivated, dedicated volunteer leaders affected by IgAN to apply to be ambassadors for the organization.

Ambassadors will receive in-person training to gain skills and information to serve as patient advocates, educators, engage with stakeholders in their communities, and offer peer support to those affected by IgAN locally, thereby extending the impact we can make.

We are stronger together, and no one should face IgA Nephropathy alone. Our training will equip our Ambassadors with the skills, how-to resources, and template materials to:

  • Share their stories to inspire and give hope to others
  • Raise awareness of IgA Nephropathy
  • Educate and engage others, including nephrology care providers and legislators
  • Provide peer support and vetted tools and resources
  • Empower patients to advocate for themselves and for better treatments

How to apply

Fill out the online application, found here, or send it via email to info@igan.org. Applicants will participate in an informal 20-minute interview over Zoom with one of both of our program co-chairs.

Deadline

We will be holding our next in-person in early 2024. To be considered for this training, please submit applications no later than October 8th, 2023. We will offer subsequent opportunities to apply and be part of this initiative.

Learn more

For more information about the Ambassador Program, read our program description and ambassador job description or send an email to info@igan.org

Ambassador Program

View PDF

Program Application

Download Application

Apply Online


2. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed? *
3. How long ago were you diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy? *
4. Which best describes you: *
Other
5. What is the current stage of your kidney disease? *
6. What steps have you or are you taking to manage IgA Nephropathy? (Please check all that apply.) *
Other
7. Do you have any of the following conditions that can be associated with or coexist with IgA Nephropathy? (Please check all that apply) *
Other
10. How easy or difficult is it for you to explain IgA Nephropathy to people unfamiliar with the condition? *
13.Which of the following activities interests you most? (Please select your top 3) *
Other
14.Are you willing to travel to SPARK? *
15.What amount of time are you comfortable giving to the Ambassador Program? *
Other (feel free to note, hours available, certain times of the year when you may have more time available, etc.)

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(848) 298-4618

(732) 681-3462

PO Box 1322 Wall, NJ 07727

© 2023 All Rights Reserved.

May 14, Sunday: Mother’s Day & IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day

The IgAN Foundation was sparked by a mother’s love and has grown into a community sharing crucial resources and working toward a cure. This day kicks off a week of celebrating the IGA Nephropathy family all week!

May 15, Monday: Mindfulness

IgA Nephropathy can be challenging and mindfulness is an important part of caring for yourself. Take a moment today and implement a mindfulness practice, meditate, or take a few moments in reflection to check in with yourself.

May 16, Tuesday: Share Your Story

On this day, the Foundation will share the video with Warrior stories compiled (submit yours here if you haven’t yet). We encourage you to also share your own photos and videos from moments along your journey!

May 17, Wednesday: Wellness

What are you doing to feel well today? IgA Nephropathy can sometimes make life feel uncontrollable, but there are some things we can control, for example:

  • Enjoyable movement (a stretch, a walk, dancing to a favorite song)
  • Eating food that’s right for us individually
  • Checking in with ourselves
  • Meditating

May 18, Thursday: Thank those who care

Between care teams, care partners, and medical providers, a lot goes into the care that sustains us as we live with IgA Nephropathy. Take this opportunity to express your appreciation to them!

May 19, Saturday: Rally cry

When the IgA Nephropathy Foundation was created, there were no resources to treat IgA Nephropathy. Now, there are 2 approved FDA treatments and many clinical trials in the works. Our community is strong and full of hope— here’s to even more progress in the future!

May 20, Saturday: Celebration! 

We’ll be hosting an in-person celebration (details to come). We’ll miss you if you can’t make it, but please take the time to celebrate however works for you — wearing your IgAN Foundation sunglasses, spending time with loved ones, etc. — just be sure to share a photo and tag us!

References

  • Hall, Y.N., Fuentes, E.F., Chertow, G.M. et al. Race/ethnicity and disease severity in IgA nephropathy. BMC Nephrol 5, 10 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2369-5-10
  • Kiryluk K, Li Y, Sanna-Cherchi S, Rohanizadegan M, Suzuki H, et al. (2012) Geographic Differences in Genetic Susceptibility to IgA Nephropathy: GWAS Replication Study and Geospatial Risk Analysis. PLoS Genet 8(6): e1002765. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002765