If you’ve just received a chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis, you probably have a lot of questions, and we understand that the unknown can be scary. Fortunately, in addition to your own physician and healthcare team, there are reliable online resources available to inform and empower you.

Here is a list of seven helpful resources to get you started:

1. Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic offers a comprehensible clinical overview of CKD that includes a description of the disease, its causes and symptoms, an explanation of how a diagnosis is reached, and a brief discussion of available treatments.

2. National Kidney Foundation

In addition to an overview of CKD, the National Kidney Foundation provides information on organ donation and transplantation, links to clinical trials and prescription assistance, opportunities for advocacy, and portals to online support communities for patients and their families.

3. American Kidney Fund

At the American Kidney Fund, you can find educational, research, and advocacy-related information, as with the above resources, but there is an emphasis on financial assistance and access to medical care for both adults and children living with kidney disease.

4. National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases

As part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) supplies educational articles on the development, prevention, and treatment of CKD, as well as promotes screening and runs the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP). The NKDEP partners with healthcare systems, community health centers, and professional associations to enhance provider practices through professional training and patient education.

5. Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative

The Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the U.S. federal government’s public health resource to raise awareness of the disease and its risk factors and provide statistics and other population data. They also promote early diagnosis, treatment, and management of CKD, as well as improve the lives of those living with it. The website provides links to studies, research and intervention goals, and evidence-based programs and treatments.

6. Kidney & Urology Foundation of America

The Kidney & Urology Foundation of America provides articles and links for both patients and professionals, information regarding organ and tissue donation, and health information on not just kidney disease but also related diseases and common comorbidities (co-occurring conditions). The website also features Spanish language versions of some of its most popular articles.

7. American Association of Kidney Patients

The American Association of Kidney Patients is geared toward whole-person support of “people dealing with the physical, emotional, and social impacts of kidney disease.” The organization’s programs include support groups, fun walks, public policy summits, a veterans’ health initiative, advocacy events, a national patient meeting, and other community activities for patients and their caregivers.