Chronic kidney disease is a silent epidemic in the United States. More than 30 million Americans are living with kidney disease, which if left untreated can ultimately progress to irreversible kidney failure. Once an individual reaches kidney failure, they can only be treated through life-sustaining dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. The kidney care community recognized the need to increase awareness about the disease and encourage at-risk individuals to get tested – and sought out two prominent public figures to help expand the reach of that message.

Engaging Celebrities to Raise Awareness

In 2013, the kidney community identified two spokespeople for this effort: seven-time NBA All-star Alonzo Mourning and actor and comedian George Lopez, both kidney transplant recipients. In exchange for donations to Zo’s Fund for Life and the Lopez Foundation, Alonzo Mourning and George Lopez agreed to participate in a scripted public service announcement with a simple message: “Know your risk, get tested, and stay off dialysis.”