Barry-Dickens Kidney Foundation to Relaunch
January 31, 2022
Marion Barry – Kim Dickens Kidney Foundation’s focus is to raise awareness of the importance of Kidney health and Kidney donation in the minority communities. In addition to helping families with their non-medical expenses, the Foundation strives to increase public awareness and education about the importance of becoming a living donor.
On February 20, 2009, Kim Dickens donated a kidney to long-time friend and mentor, Marion S. Barry, Jr.
In 2013, Marion and Kim co-founded and incorporated the “Marion Barry-Kim Dickens Kidney
Foundation”, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Ms. Dickens is the President & Chairperson of the Board. The foundation (MBKDKF), was created to
“Educate and Promote Kidney health and Kidney donation in minority communities”
MBKDKF work is focused on kidney health awareness, education and community outreach.
What must be made clear though is that people of every age, race, gender, religion and socio-economic
status are touched by and should be involved with this far-reaching need. We cannot turn away from the
fact that in 2013 of the 99,201 kidney transplants that were needed, only 14,029 transplants were
performed. The Marion Barry-Kim Dickens Kidney Foundation invites all to join in changing these figures
and saving lives.
According to the National Kidney Foundation there are 120,990 people in need of organ donations today in the United States. Of this number 99,201 (82%) are waiting for kidneys. Bradley Warady, a medical adviser for the National Kidney Foundation said, “The worst thing that can happen obviously is to have patients die while waiting for organs. But it happens every day. Through the work of their new foundation, Marion and Kim plan to lower the number of deaths that occur because there simply aren’t enough donor organs available.” Awareness The Marion Barry-Kim Dickens Kidney Foundation intends to spread awareness about donating kidneys in Washington D.C.’s African-American community.
● 1 in 6 African-Americans have kidney disease.
● 9,000 African-Americans in Washington, DC have kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.
● At every transplant center in the nation, African-Americans are the least likely to receive a kidney
from a living organ donor.
● There are more than 92,000 people waiting for a kidney in the United States, and over a third of
those are African Americans.
● Potential African American kidney transplant recipients experience significantly higher rates of psychological denial about the need for a kidney Marion believed the work has to be a “crusade” of sorts; and based on her own experience, Kim
underlines the importance of helping people to understand the processes. Education This foundation is committed to educating people; and to working with potential donors to overcome
any fears and apprehensions they may have. Community Outreach Community outreach will play an integral role in achieving the Foundation’s goal of raising awareness. Marion and Kim personally engage in efforts to move the masses toward a clearer understanding of what
it means to be a part of the organ donor and transplant community. The Foundation will engage in peer to peer, B2B and a host of other solutions in its work to increase the number of living and deceased donors. Specifically tailored community organizing strategies will be employed for those groups whose numbers are particularly low regarding participation. For instance
(currently among living donors): African Americans (11.1%); and men (38.6%) will receive heightened
outreach attention