2026 Kidney Hero of the Year
Congratulations to Bernie and Hope for being named as the 2026 NKF Kidney Heroes of the Year!
Thank you to all those who voted and whose donations went to support our crucial mission! Voting has officially ended but your continued support can help write a new chapter full of hope, support, and new possibilities.
Kidney Hero of the Year Nominees
Melanie
Scroll through Melanie Pina's TikTok to find a bright, funny, and genuine person detailing her life with lupus, life on peritoneal dialysis and now a kidney transplant. With every video, she educates her audience, finds the humor in her situation, and brings hope to countless others who struggle with kidney disease.
Larry
For Dallas-based musician Larry Gayao, known as Larry g(EE) on stage, it all began with a routine eye exam. The simple checkup led to a shocking diagnosis—stage 4 kidney disease. From there, Larry would transform his lifestyle, rediscover his love for music, and share his story to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure.
The Ransome Family
Tayler and Billy Ransome never imagined that the 20-week ultrasound for their first child would be anything but normal. Instead, they learned their baby had a rare condition called posterior urethral valves (PUV), a blockage in the urethra that can cause childhood kidney disease even before birth.
Erròn
From starring in 2 Lava 2 Lantula! to voicing characters in Fallout 76 and appearing on Lucifer, LA actor Erròn Jay is used to playing intense roles on screen. But in 2020, he faced a real-life crisis no script could have prepared him for–kidney failure.
Reggie and Leah
Before July 2024, Reggie was your average teen. She loved dancing, reading, hanging out with friends, and was excited to start junior high school at the end of the summer. But a routine health check that month changed everything for her and her family.
Joanna
While Joanna Neumann always had a passion for healthcare, she never imagined she would spend nearly four decades in nephrology. But when the opportunity presented itself to specialize in this field, she didn’t hesitate – and that decision shaped the rest of her life.
Bernie and Hope
For years, Bernie faced complex health problems that would be discovered to be IgG4, a rare autoimmune condition that also led to kidney failure. In 2025, a living donor named Hope gave him a second chance at life.
Leaderboard
7
Kidney Hero of The Year
Bernie and Hope: Kidney Hero of the Year Nominees
Kidney Hero of The Year
Reggie and Leah: Kidney Hero of the Year Nominees
Kidney Hero of The Year
Larry: Kidney Hero of the Year Nominee
Kidney Hero of The Year
Melanie: Kidney Hero of The Year Nominee
Kidney Hero of The Year
Erròn: Kidney Hero of The Year Nominee
Kidney Hero of The Year
Joanna: Kidney Hero of The Year Nominee