Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award
Ardelyx’s Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award recognizes passionate supporters of patients living with chronic kidney disease who champion the need for innovation and the need to improve health outcomes.
This award is in honor of Derek Forfang, a chronic kidney disease patient and founder of the Ardelyx Patient Advocacy Council, who passed away due to issues related to his disease in 2024. Derek worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the patients, families and caregivers in the chronic kidney disease community. This award serves to recognize those individuals who, like Derek, raise awareness of the challenges that kidney patients face, are willing to be the voice for their community and deserve to be recognized for their contributions.
Ardelyx is now accepting nominations for the Derek Forfang Patient Advocacy Award. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2027.
Are you or someone you know an outspoken advocate for kidney patients? Complete the submission form to be considered.
Recipients of the Derek Forfang Patient Advocacy Award will receive:
- Public celebration and recognition of their achievements and contributions to the kidney community
- A $1,000 honorarium and a $4,000 donation to a non-profit organization chosen in partnership with Ardelyx
- A commemorative plaque
- The opportunity to attend the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) Spring Clinical Meeting in Orlando in May 2027 on behalf of Ardelyx
Meet Last Year's Winners
Edward Drake II is a transplant recipient who has spent nearly two decades transforming his personal battle with kidney failure – which ended his path as a collegiate football player – into a lifelong mission of service and empowerment. In 2007, Edward founded The Youth Needing Organ & Tissue Transplants Foundation, which has helped thousands of young people and families affected by kidney disease and organ failure.
Markesha Grayson answered a call of faith more than 30 years ago, when she donated a kidney to save her father, Earnest Grayson. Today, she is the longest-living donor at her hospital and a passionate Kidney Health Coach, educating Black and Brown communities about kidney health prevention and organ donation. Markesha serves with the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
Timmy Nelson received his kidney transplant in 2017, after being on peritoneal dialysis for three and a half years. Since receiving his transplant, Timmy shares his journey, both as a dialysis patient and as a transplant recipient, by speaking annually to medical students at the Perelman School of Medicine and serving on the boards of Penn Medicine and Chester County Hospital.
Pesh Patel is a transplant recipient and a nationally recognized patient advocate who excels at translating complex policy issues into accessible, human-centered conversations. Driven by his personal journey, he founded A Kidney Life, a platform to educate and raise awareness for those living with kidney disease, their families and loved ones.
Glenda Roberts is a passionate activist for kidney research and patients living with kidney disease, committed to improving kidney health globally. Serving on over 15 advisory committees and contributing to more than 50 publications, Glenda bridges the gap between clinical science and the lived experience.
Nomination, Selection and Eligibility
Nominate yourself or nominate someone else! Candidates for the award can be nominated by anyone in the community at large and are considered for the award by the Derek Forfang Patient Advisory Council (DFPAC). The DFPAC considers all nominations and may select up to five recipients per year.
To be eligible for this award, nominees must demonstrate achievements and contributions to advocate for chronic kidney disease patients, which could include raising awareness, educating others, advancing research, advocating for the community and bringing the community together, among many other efforts.
Healthcare professionals (including a physician, nurse, or dietician), and Ardelyx employees or contractors or family members are not eligible for this award.
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2027