About UKRO & the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center
UKRO is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit charity founded in 2002 by entertainment lawyer Kenneth Kleinberg with the help of Dr. Vito M. Campese, then Professor and Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Our mission is fundraising to support medical research and education related to the causes, treatment, and eradication of all forms of kidney disease.
Since 2002, UKRO has raised significant dollars to fund cutting-edge research at the earliest stage of development, in addition to educational symposia and fellowships. Our special project grants have been awarded to nationally recognized experts from interdisciplinary labs at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, City of Hope, and UCLA.
We believe that collaboration among scientists working in a variety of fields is the key to understanding chronic kidney disease, discovering improved therapies, and finding a much-needed cure. To that end, in September 2012, UKRO entered into an agreement with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to establish what we envision as a premier center nationally for kidney research—the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center (KRC). We have made an initial $3.5 million pledge to support the establishment of the KRC, which officially opened in 2015. UKRO’s gift will be matched by equivalent contributions from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Led by Kenneth Hallows, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.N., the research team at the KRC is exploring acute kidney injury, hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, acid regulation, kidney cancer, and more.
The Chronic Kidney Disease Crisis
Chronic kidney disease affects the general population, but is particularly prevalent among African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease. Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to permanent damage and kidney failure. It is imperative that we protect our kidney health.
Shop While You Give!
UKRO and Goodshop have partnered to help you do more good with each purchase you make. Every time you shop online, part of what you spend through Goodshop will be donated towards helping fund kidney research; at no extra cost to you. Sign up and choose our cause to start shopping, raising money, and saving with gift deals at Edible Arrangements , clothing discounts at Old Navy, discounts on flowers at Pro Flowers, and 100,000+ other online deals.
Keck Kidney Transplant Program Receives 5 Stars
The kidney transplant program at the Keck School of Medicine received a 5-star ranking by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). By outcomes and volume, Keck came in second out of almost 285 programs in the nation. Upon sharing the news with us, Dr. Qazi commented, “I am really…
New Polymer to Detect Early Acute Kidney Injury
A new polymer developed by a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw could save many lives through early detection of acute kidney injury also known as AKI. The polymer works by trapping lipocalin-2 (NGAL), a protein which is elevated in the blood…
ESRD Linked to Drinking Diet Soda
New research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore reveals a link between end stage renal disease and frequent drinking of diet sodas. In this general population study, people who drank more than seven diet soft drinks a week faced an 83% higher risk of ESRD compared to…
Researchers Isolate Human Kidney Progenitor Cells
Scientists from the Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have made an exciting discovery, isolating human kidney progenitor cells without genetic manipulation using a novel in vivo technique. These nephrogenic progenitor cells (NPs) give rise to mature nephrons, the key filtering units in the kidney. Although scientists have studied NPs…
Gli1 Stem Cells Could Stop Major Killer of Kidney Patients
A team of researchers led by investigators from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified the stem cells responsible for calcium buildup in the arteries, a major problem for kidney disease patients. Found in the outer layers of the arteries, Gli1 positive stem cells have the ability to…
New Research Findings on Diabetic Kidney Disease
A new study from the University of Washington reveals that though diabetic kidney disease rates have remained fairly stable in the U.S., the disease has changed course. While researchers found a lower prevalence of albuminuria, they were perplexed to find an increase in reduced kidney function. – U.S. Diabetic Kidney Disease Rate Unchanged…