The Linked by Love Public Service Announcement (PSA) Campaign was created to increase awareness about the leading causes of kidney disease, to educate the public about preventing kidney disease and kidney failure, and to encourage viewers to consider organ donation. It is intended to help decrease the disparities around kidney disease that are experienced by Black and African Americans.

Today, a staggering 1 in 7 people have kidney disease, an estimated 37 million Americans, and most, as many as 9 in 10 adults, don’t find out until their kidney disease is advanced. In addition, there is an extremely high need for organ donors—currently, there are approximately 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S., and of these, approximately 90,000 need a kidney transplant.

Multi-award-winning actress and recording artist Vanessa Williams is featured in MNITF’s PSA Campaign, which delivers a strong call to action about kidney disease prevention, and the need for organ donation. On the Linked by Love website, dialysis patients and their families can get a comprehensive education about being proactive in one’s healthcare as well as valuable information on kidney transplantation, how to access transplantation, what it takes to maintain a transplant, and how a positive attitude and lots of support can create the power of hope.