Milestones

1950
- National Nephrosis Research Foundation established by parents of children with nephritic syndrome-a rare and usually fatal form of kidney disease.
1954
- First successful renal transplant.
1955
- Maryland Nephrosis Foundation founded in Baltimore by Dr. Harriet G. Guild.
1958
- National Nephrosis Foundation renamed the National Kidney Disease Foundation and mission broadened to include all kidney diseases.
1960
- Implantation of first arteriovenous shunt in a chronic renal failure patient
1964
- NKF-MD became affiliate of NKF
- Foundation name changed to National Kidney Foundation
- Congress appropriated $6.4 million for Kidney Program
1966
- Activation of Medicare and Medicaid
1967
- First year of research funding by national office