ABOUT KCNYC

Kathleen O'Hara founded the Kidney Coalition of NYC in 2015 to help people  who lack the support team needed to live with chronic kidney disease.

Kathleen's calling has always been helping others. Her mission is to advocate and fight for people with kidney disease.

Kathleen was thirteen when she was diagnosed with kidney problems. At 19 she was in kidney failure. Kathleen started dialysis and by 22 she had her first transplant. Her only brother saved her life.

For ten years she served her community and helped numerous people being a volunteer EMT, served on boards of local nonprofits and mentored students with disabilities. Kathleen also attained an A.A. in Liberal Arts from CUNY.

 Kathleen's transplant failed in 2010.

After three years on dialysis, Kathleen was paired with a kidney through a living donation by her aunt. That transplant lasted eight years. Today, Kathleen is on dialysis for the third time and waiting for a kidney transplant.

Founding the KCNYC was a dream since childhood for Kathleen. She serves as the chief executive officer of the Kidney Coalition of NYC.

She has inspired patients, family, friends and community leaders in testifying before the New York City Council, lobbying State Representatives, public speaking, TV appearances and hosting numerous awareness events raising funds to help support her fellow kidney patients.

Kathleen has built a coalition of people dedicated to helping people with chronic kidney disease and hopes that through the programs and services she created they realize they are not alone.

In recent years, Kathleen has worked in the entertainment field. There she learned the healing power of music and the impact music has on so many.  Working with senior centers, elected officials and other community groups throughout the years gives Kathleen an unique outlook, being part of the nonprofit world since she was 12, shows her dedication and her life-long experience as a person living with CKD and being a public servant allows her to be an advocate for those who need a voice most of all.

Kathleen was taught never to give up, don't stress the things you can't change and if you’re able to help someone, you do it. This is why the Kidney Coalition of NYC was founded.

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"We all walk the same path, we learned how to navigate it, so why not help someone else get through it."

- Kathleen O'Hara 

Our team is an award-winning tribute to our mission of helping people with chronic kidney disease. The team is made up of kidney patients, caregivers, family members and supporters. We are all volunteers and in one way or another has been impacted by CKD.

The KCNYC has been named BETHPAGE BEST OF THE BORO, BEST CHARITY AND BEST NOT FOR PROFIT since 2020. 

Hundreds of businesses and nonprofits are nominated  and the public votes for the winner in each category. For more information please visit www.bestof.qns.com.

We have also been recognized by Great Nonprofits as a Top-Rated Nonprofit Organization since 2018.

The team works tirelessly and is devotedl to a commitment of excellence in serving the chronic kidney disease patients of New York. If you have a passion to help, desire to  make a difference and some time to give ,you can be part of our team too.

Email kidneycoalitionnyc@gmail.com today to get started.

Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, THANK YOU. 

We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you. 

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We truly appreciate you going above and beyond through your continued support which provides vital funding in the FIGHT AGAINST CKD and the KCNYC'S mission.

Thank you to all of our partners past and present:

CAKE N BAKE 

Lenny's Clam Bar 

Kiwanis Club of Glendale

LesliieannWDW

Jennifer Mohr * Origami Owl 

Gail Margaret King * Looking to Make a Difference with Gsil

Celia Hauser * Pampered Chef 

Handmade Creations by ALLY

MERRICK THEATRE AND CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 

ASSEMBLY BAR

THE AVENUE 

LIVERPOOL SHUFFLE 

BEN KID CREOLE 

GJM

SECOND TO NONE ENTERTAINMENT

THE O'HARA FAMILY 

THE GIANANTI FAMILY