PRESS RELEASES
1 / Partnership Announcement with Smart Patients February 13, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KidneyCouch Supports Patients and their Families with an Online Kidney Cancer Community KidneyCouch partners with Smart Patients to create a new online kidney cancer community that will make it easier for patients and families to support and learn from one another. ROCHESTER, MN, February 13, 2026: Today, KidneyCouch is proud to announce a new partnership with Smart Patients, an online peer-to-peer support forum for patients and their families, which allows KidneyCouch to extend its ability to help those impacted by kidney cancer by adding virtual social and emotional support to their outreach programs. Patients and families affected by kidney cancer can join the Smart Patients kidney cancer or chronic kidney disease community for free to share, interact, and learn from each other in a safe, supportive environment. Patients are invited to join the kidney cancer community through the following link: KidneyCouch Smart Patients Community. Individuals can join the community by securely sharing their email addresses and setting up a free personal account. Once the account is confirmed participants will have access to information, and resources, and be able to participate in community conversations on topics of interest. About KidneyCouch KidneyCouch is dedicated to providing a supportive and informative space for kidney cancer patients and those who are also dealing with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It provides resources, stories, and articles to its community members. About Smart Patients: Smart Patients is an online community where patients and caregivers affected by serious illnesses learn from each other. Members share personal experiences, ask and answer questions, and gain knowledge in an ad-free, private space that helps them make better-informed decisions about their care. The platform hosts more than 100 disease-specific communities and is free to join. Learn more at KidneyCouch Smart Patients Community. Contact: Kristi Lynden kristi@smartpatients.com Smart Patient Social Media Handles: Facebook (@smartpatientscommunity) Instagram and Threads (@smart_patients_community) LinkedIn (@Smart Patients) Bluesky (@smartpatients.bsky.social)
2 / Affiliate Partnership Announcement with the Kidney Cancer Association October 20, 2025 KCA Welcomes New Affiliate Partner KidneyCouch Kidney Cancer Association The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) welcomes KidneyCouch as a new Affiliate Partner. KidneyCouch is committed to offering support and information to individuals battling kidney cancer and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a goal to create a community that fosters connection, understanding, and empowerment for patients and their loved ones. Founder Jeff Kallis, 64, was diagnosed with stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 2023 and has since written a book about his journey, has been featured in multiple news stories, and created KidneyCouch to increase awareness, education, and support for patients and family members dealing with kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. His personal mission has always been to connect with and support fellow patients so that no one has to walk this journey alone. For more information about Kallis’s full story, visit KidneyCouch – About. Jeff Kallis’ kidney cancer prompted questions. He wanted to help others find answers. “KidneyCouch is proud to create this affiliation with the Kidney Cancer Association,” Kallis said. “There is strength in unity and there is no better partner than the KCA in creating awareness, education, and finding a cure for kidney cancer.” “It’s gratifying to see how Jeff has used his personal experience to create a welcoming space for meaningful connection,” said Gretchen E. Vaughan, KCA’s President and CEO. “With our shared values, we are looking forward to working together!” The KCA’s Affiliate Partners help expand the support available for people impacted by kidney cancer and allows for strategic collaborations that will advance research, advocacy, and education. KidneyCouch joins seven existing KCA Affiliate Partner organizations: the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation, the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance, HLRCC Foundation, Elevate Childhood Research and Advocacy, Joey’s Wings Foundation, the Judy Nicholson Kidney Cancer Foundation, and the Wilms Cancer Foundation. Media Contact: Radha Chitale Senior Director of Communications 847.332.1051 ext. 113 | rchitale@www.kidneycancer.org
3 / Partnership Announcement with Imerman Angels August 15, 2025 KidneyCouch is pleased to announce that it has formed a partnership with Imerman Angels. Imerman Angels matches a cancer patient with another cancer patient with similar stories and experiences. In addition to the support I received from my wife Cindy, our sons, family, and friends, it would have been very helpful to have a personal connection with someone who had the same diagnosis and story as mine. There are people out there who want to be available to help others navigate their cancer journey – relating to you on a level that others cannot. Now, I want to “give back” to other people diagnosed with kidney cancer and need some emotional / social support as they ride this roller coaster. In July, I became a certified Imerman Angels Mentor Angel to do just that. No one needs to navigate the unknowns alone. Imerman Angles intentionally matches cancer patients according to age, gender, type of cancer, and experience; so, you know you are talking to someone who truly understands what you’re going through, in a supportive and caring connection. Imerman Angels provides this connection free of charge to anyone seeking support, connection and community. If you know of anyone who is dealing with cancer and would like or benefit from a one-on-one connection, please reach out to Imerman Angels at https://imermanangels.org/. If you are cancer survivor and would like to become a Mentor Angel, reach out to Imerman Angels at https://imermanangels.org/give-support/. To learn more about Imerman Angels, visit these links: KidneyCouch / Imerman Angels Partnership: https://www.kidneycouch.com/imermanangels Imerman Angels Resource / Partner Page: https://imermanangels.org/resources/ Imerman Angels – Home Page https://imermanangels.org/