title: Success stories showing the diversity of kidney foundations: Turkish Kidney Foundation.
abstract: Founded in 1985, the Turkish Kidney Foundation serves the society with 3 dialysis centers and a 113-bed general hospital. Interacting with public authorities and advocating end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients' rights are essential services of this non-governmental organization (NGO). Over the last 30 years, keeping with the trend of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the country, the foundation raised awareness in the population for this condition and prepared an activity road map by using statistical facts and data. Goals were set keeping in mind the local culture and traditions, debating on them with colleagues, PR agencies, and other experts in this field. The best strategy embrace the society, and all activities are made as cost-effective as possible in keeping with a tight budget. Various communication channels, especially social media, are used to communicate the message to the public, always keeping in mind that such messages are to be succinct and precise. Every effort is taken to make our foundation reliable and trustworthy in the eyes of the public at large. Reliability, credibility, and trust are the key success corner stones of our NGO. Every opportunity is taken to capitalize on participation of celebrities and real stories of people. Testimonies of real ESRD patients are always interesting and can touch the hearts of the rest of the population.
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Erk
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005582:Foundations / Q000458:organization & administration; D006268:Health Facilities; D006293:Health Promotion; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D009938:Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D014421:Turkey