APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
The American Kidney Fund provides an AMKD Awareness Day proclamation template that places the observance on the last Tuesday of each April, and its 2026 campaign materials mark 28 April 2026.
About APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day
APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day is observed on the last Tuesday of April. The American Kidney Fund launched the first annual observance on April 30, 2024.
The campaign focuses on awareness of APOL1-mediated kidney disease, kidney-health equity, education and access to reliable information.
Why APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day matters
APOL1 genetic variants can affect kidney-disease risk, but genetic risk is not destiny: NIDDK notes that most people with two APOL1 risk variants do not develop kidney disease.
Population-level ancestry patterns cannot diagnose an individual or reveal a person’s genotype. Decisions about genetic testing, kidney evaluation or treatment should be discussed with qualified health professionals and, when appropriate, genetic counselors.
History of APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day
The American Kidney Fund announced the first annual AMKD Awareness Day for April 30, 2024.
AKF places the observance on the last Tuesday of April during National Minority Health Month.
By April 28, 2026, AKF described the event as its third annual AMKD Awareness Day and announced an APOL1 Coalition alongside the campaign.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
AKF announced and established the first annual AMKD Awareness Day.
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
AKF is the establishing and continuing campaign organization.
First documented observance
AKF called April 30, 2024 the first annual AMKD Awareness Day.
AKF announced a coalition intended to expand awareness, education and action around APOL1-mediated kidney disease alongside the recurring awareness day.
American Kidney Fund · APOL1 Coalition launch announced with the third annual AMKD Awareness Day
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
AKF continues the annual AMKD Awareness Day campaign.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
AMKD Awareness Day
How to Observe APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day
Use AKF, NIDDK and other established medical sources to learn about APOL1-related kidney-disease risk.
Do not infer a person’s genotype, kidney status or need for testing from race, ethnicity, ancestry or appearance.
Discuss personal risk, symptoms, family history and the possible role of genetic testing with an appropriately qualified clinician or genetic counselor.
Protect genetic and medical information as sensitive personal data; share it only with informed consent.
APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day Facts
AMKD Awareness Day falls on the last Tuesday of April.
The first annual event was April 30, 2024.
The American Kidney Fund established and continues the awareness campaign.
Having APOL1 risk variants does not mean a person will inevitably develop kidney disease.
Individual testing and treatment decisions require professional medical context.
APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day Messages
May today expand access to accurate information about APOL1-mediated kidney disease without turning population risk into individual assumptions.
May AMKD Awareness Day encourage informed questions, earlier conversations and respectful care.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases — APOL1 risk context
American Kidney Fund — AMKD Awareness Day proclamation
American Kidney Fund — National AMKD Awareness Day
American Kidney Fund — AMKD Awareness Day proclamation (opens in a new tab)
Original Organizer
American Kidney Fund — National AMKD Awareness Day (opens in a new tab)
Original Organizer
NIDDK — APOL1 variants and kidney-disease risk (opens in a new tab)
Government Health Authority
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day?
Last Tuesday of April (28 April in 2026) The documented recurrence rule is: Last Tuesday in April.
Does APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / American Kidney Fund-led kidney-disease awareness campaign. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day?
The reviewed sources identify American Kidney Fund (AKF) as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as American Kidney Fund (AKF).
Is APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / American Kidney Fund-led kidney-disease awareness campaign.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-27.
When is AMKD Awareness Day?
It is observed on the last Tuesday of April.
When was the first observance?
The American Kidney Fund announced the first annual AMKD Awareness Day for April 30, 2024.
Do APOL1 risk variants guarantee kidney disease?
No. NIDDK notes that most people with two APOL1 risk variants do not develop kidney disease.
Should everyone with relevant ancestry get a genetic test?
A general awareness page cannot make that decision for an individual. Testing questions should be discussed with a qualified clinician or genetic counselor.
Other observances on April 27
These observances are also listed on April 27, 2027.
Day of Uprising Against the Occupation
The Government of Slovenia lists April 27 as Day of Uprising Against the Occupation among the country’s national holidays.
Freedom Day
South African Government and the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 establish April 27 Freedom Day public-holiday status and link the date to the first democratic elections of 27 April 1994.
Independence Day
Sierra Leone Parliament verifies the April 27, 1961 independence date and current Presidency/government materials confirm April 27 Independence Day recurrence and public-holiday treatment.
Independence Day
Togo’s current Constitution states that the national holiday is celebrated every year on April 27, while current Presidency material ties the independence anniversary to 1960.
International Design Day
International Council of Design identifies International Design Day as the current name, held 27 April to commemorate the Council’s 1963 founding, and says the event was celebrated as World…
Lapu-Lapu Day / Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu
Republic Act No. 11040