PRIVACY POLICY

Kidney Solutions: A Network of Transplant Experience

Effective Date: 2/22/2026

Plain Language Summary

In simple terms:

• We collect the information you choose to share with us so we can provide peer support.
• We use third-party platforms like Join It and PayPal to manage membership and donations.
• We do not sell your information.
• Authorized volunteers may have access to your information to provide support.
• If you ask us to post a donor flyer or bio, we will share only what you approve.
• Social media sharing carries risks, and we cannot control how others share information once it is posted.
• You may contact us to request updates or remove your information where possible.

Kidney Solutions respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.

Kidney Solutions is a Texas nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free peer support and education related to kidney transplantation and living kidney donation. Services are available to individuals residing in the United States.

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information Kidney Solutions collects by any method including information you share through our website, phone calls, text messages, emails, Zoom support groups, and any other communications with Kidney Solutions volunteers or online platforms.

1. Who we serve

Kidney Solutions serves individuals with kidney disease, their families, and potential living donors who reside in the United States.

Kidney Solutions does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under the age of 18 without parental involvement. Parents or legal guardians may register and communicate with Kidney Solutions on behalf of a minor child.

If we become aware that personal information has been submitted directly by a child under 18 without parental involvement, we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.

2. Information We Collect
3. Membership Registration Information

When you register through our third-party membership platform, Join It, we require some information to be able to contact and support you. If you do not wish to provide the required information, you should not complete the registration.

• Name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address
• Veteran Status
• Latest GFR or dialysis status
• Confirmation of CKD diagnosis
• Confirmation of transplant listing status
• Emergency contact

Some of the questions are optional and you may voluntarily provide as much or little information as you choose. The optional information includes:

• Photo
• Bio
• Spouse/Partner Name
• Employment Status
• Transplant center information
• Blood type
• Health-related information

Authorized Kidney Solutions volunteers may add internal notes to membership records based on conversations and updates shared by members to provide appropriate support and follow-up. Internal notes are not visible to members and are accessible only to authorized Kidney Solutions volunteers.

In addition to the information listed above, membership records may include data voluntarily provided by the member, such as:

• Cause of CKD/kidney failure
• Date of transplant
• Type of transplant (preemptive, living donor, etc.)
• Donor name
• Ongoing progress updates

This information is collected only if the member chooses to share it with Kidney Solutions.

While we take reasonable steps to protect information, no system can guarantee absolute security.

1. Donor Registration Information

When potential donors register, we collect the following required information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Address
• Email address
• Phone number

We also collect the following optional information:

• Name of intended recipient

Kidney Solutions volunteers add internal notes based on information voluntarily shared during email, phone calls, texts.

1. Information Collected Through Calls, Texts, and Support Groups

We may collect information that you voluntarily share during:

• Phone calls
• Text messages
• E-mails
• Zoom support groups

Volunteers may update a member’s Join It profile with relevant information that is shared during any of the above interactions, to provide support and follow-up.

Support group participation is voluntary. While we encourage participants to respect confidentiality, we cannot guarantee that other participants will maintain confidentiality. If you choose to share personal or health information during a support group, you do so voluntarily and should exercise discretion regarding information you are not comfortable sharing more broadly.

Kidney Solutions does not record support group sessions unless clearly disclosed.

1. Event Registration Information

When you register for events such as the Kidney Solutions FunDWalk, we collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Number of attendees
• Waiver acknowledgment

1. Email Communications

When you email us, we receive your name, email address, and any information you include in your message. Emails are stored in our webmail system and deleted when no longer needed.

1. Donation of Funds

All donations are collected using third-party payment providers. All payment processing is handled using a link to PayPal where there are options to use PayPal, Venmo, or a credit/debit card for payment. Kidney Solutions does not receive or store credit card numbers. We receive the donor’s name, contact information, and the donation amount associated with the transaction.

Join It has the capability to process payments if that feature is enabled. Kidney Solutions does not use Join It as a payment processor.

Kidney Solutions does not act as a fiscal sponsor, escrow agent, or financial intermediary for individual members.

3. How We Use Information

We use information to:

• Contact you after registration
• Provide mentoring and peer support
• Manage support group access
• Create donor search materials if requested
• Post donor search flyers and your bio on our website and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X, if you consent.
• Communicate relevant updates
• Coordinate volunteer support
• Facilitate fundraising events

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

If you receive email communications from Kidney Solutions and wish to stop receiving them, you may contact us at admin@kidneysolutions.org to request removal from future communications.

4. Information Sharing

We may share limited information:

• Internally among authorized Kidney Solutions volunteers
• With an assigned mentor
• Publicly, including photo and bio, living donor search flyer, if you consent to sharing. Alternatively, we may ask you to share your living donor flyer on your own social media sites. We cannot guarantee that posting a living donor search flyer will identify a potential living donor. It is the responsibility of the member to share their living donor search flyer or other materials, for best results.

Multiple authorized volunteers may have access to membership information to provide support and coordinate services. If you share health or personal information with us, authorized volunteers may have access to it to provide support. We do not share information with transplant centers, registries, or outside organizations unless specifically requested by you.

When a potential donor contacts Kidney Solutions, we do not share their name or information with their intended recipient.

We do not sell, rent, or share personal information for advertising purposes.

5. Legal Disclosure

We may disclose personal information if required to do so by law, including in response to a subpoena, court order, or US government request.

We may also disclose personal information if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of individuals, to investigate fraud or harmful conduct, or to comply with legal obligations.

Membership data is stored in Join It and may be exported to secure administrative documents maintained by Kidney Solutions for operational purposes. Authorized volunteers may access these systems as necessary to provide support.

Kidney Solutions maintains centralized administrative and member records within an organization-controlled Google Workspace environment. Access to documents is limited to authorized volunteers based on their role and responsibilities.

6. Data Storage and Access

Membership data is stored in Join It, a third-party cloud-based platform. Authorized volunteers have access as necessary to provide support.

Limited information such as names and email addresses may be maintained in shared administrative documents for purposes such as support group communications.

Information provided by the member to be added to a donor search flyer will be added to Canva as the flyer is created. When a member requests a flyer and agrees that it be posted on our website and social media, the flyer will be emailed to the member as well. If the member wants the flyer taken down, they should email Kidney Solutions at admin@kidneysolutions.org and it will be removed. We can’t guarantee that all shares or copies will no longer be visible to the nature of social media.

Kidney Solutions may alternatively ask that members post their flyers themselves, to their preferred social media platforms.

Volunteers may access Kidney Solutions systems using personal devices. Volunteers are expected to use reasonable safeguards when accessing member information. While we take reasonable steps to protect information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Third-Party Services

Our website includes links to third-party platforms, including:

• Join It for membership registration
• PayPal for donations
• Social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X
• Podcast hosting services: Libsyn
• Event registration: WordPress

When you access these services, you are subject to the privacy policies and terms of service for each of these individual platforms.

8. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve site performance and understand how visitors use our website.

We use Google Analytics through the Google Site Kit plugin for WordPress. Google Analytics collects information such as IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring website, pages visited, time spent on pages, and general geographic location. This information is collected through cookies and similar technologies and is used in aggregated form to help us improve our website content and user experience.

Google Analytics does not provide us with your name, email address, or other direct identifying information unless you voluntarily provide that information through another part of our website.

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You may also learn more about Google’s privacy practices on Google’s website.

9. Data Retention

Member records are retained unless deletion is requested or required by law. Inactive members may remain in records for administrative purposes. Certain records may be deleted when determined appropriate.

In the event Kidney Solutions dissolves or transfers its operations, the Board of Directors will determine how member data is handled in a manner consistent with our mission and applicable law. If personal information were to be transferred to a successor organization with a similar mission, members would be notified and provided the opportunity to opt out where feasible.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When updates are made, the Effective Date at the top of this page will be revised. Changes become effective when posted.

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information. To make a request, please contact us at admin@kidneysolutions.org. We will provide a response in accordance with all relevant legal requirements.

11. Data Disclaimer

While we use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. You provide information at your own risk.

12. Contact Information

Kidney Solutions
PO Box 294722
Kerrville, TX 78029
admin@kidneysolutions.org