The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is the oldest and largest independent kidney patient organization in the United States with a global presence. AAKP represents individuals across the disease spectrum, including people at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), early-stage CKD, people on dialysis, organ donors, and transplant recipients. AAKP advocates for greater patient care choice, protection of the patient/doctor relationship, and federal regulatory and payment policies that support medical innovation. AAKP defines patient-centered medicine and high-quality healthcare by the level of patient access to therapies that best allow them to pursue their personal aspirations, including full-time or part-time work in their chosen trade or profession. AAKP has expanded patient impact on kidney research by organizing and training patients to engage with political, government, and policy leaders at the national and global level. AAKP is dedicated to improving the lives and long-term outcomes of patients by addressing overall well-being through greater education and patient engagement. The Association fights for early disease detection and the appropriate diagnosis of rare/genetic conditions, better access to home dialysis, increased kidney transplantation, as well as the advancement of artificial implantable and wearable kidneys and xenotransplantation.