AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND
Fighting on All Fronts
Think Out Loud produced this short documentary for the American Kidney Fund that tells the story of Emma and Emma, two young girls living in different states, connected by an ultra-rare kidney disease called cystinosis and by a friendship that grew strong despite the distance.
Featured Film
“Think Out Loud helps us craft powerful and personal stories that make kidney health feel relatable to a broader audience.”
— Julianne Puzzo, Chief Development Officer
Our Approach
We build stories from lived experience, creating authentic connections from the start.
Built with purpose.
Every film is shaped around a clear audience and goal, ensuring it works where and when it matters most.
Thoughtful filmmaking.
Beautifully produced and precisely edited to hold attention, build trust, and elevate the message.
Stories designed for campaigns, events, and key moments when audiences are moved to support.
Produced with the American Kidney Fund and Suni Lee, Suni’s Kidney Journey tells the story behind an Olympic comeback shaped by resilience and uncertainty. The film quickly reached over 1 million views, helping bring greater visibility to kidney disease nationwide.
SUNI’s Kidney Journey
Each year we produce a series of intimate profile videos for AKF’s Hope Affair gala - celebrating all the inspiring people who fight kidney disease every day.
Changemakers documents a friendship that became a life-saving donation. What followed is a story about turning personal experience into impact for others.
Stories of HOPE
We partnered with the American Kidney Fund to help bring Camp Connections to life on screen. This free, virtual camp creates a space where children, families, and hospitals from across the country can connect in ways that might not otherwise be possible.
why these stories matter
Kidney disease is both widespread and often invisible. It affects more than 37 million adults in the U.S., touching 1 in 7 lives, and for over 800,000 people living with kidney failure, it shapes daily life in profound ways.
These stories help make those realities visible.
More stories for AKF
The 2024 Hero of Hope recipient, Chet Bennet, shares his journey with kidney disease and how it inspired him to give back to his community through healthy cooking.
AKF Ambassadors fight for policies that improve kidney care and increase funding for kidney research. Watch as they visit Capitol Hill to educated about the impact of kidney disease.
After loosing his father to kidney disease, Pittsburgh Steeler Presley Harvin decided to give back by partnering with the American Kidney Fund.