Famous Faces, Real Stories: Celebrities Bring Attention to Kidney Disease

Why Celebrity Kidney Stories Matter

More than 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. live with kidney disease, and 1 in 3 are at risk. Yet most people don’t know it. That’s why celebrity voices matter. By sharing their kidney journeys, public figures help shine a light on an often-hidden disease. This inspires more people to get tested, take action, and support kidney donation.

Jesse Eisenberg

In November 2025, actor and writer Jesse Eisenberg announced he’s donating a kidney to a stranger. He told Vanity Fair that he was inspired to donate a kidney after years of donating blood. He wondered how else he could give back. When he learned about living kidney donation and how safe it was, Eisenberg felt called to donate. “It’s essentially risk-free and so needed,” he said. Eisenberg is also using his platform to break myths about altruistic donation–the number one being that an altruistic donor wouldn’t be able to help a family or friend in the future. 

He is donating through the National Kidney Registry’s (NKR) Family Voucher Program, which allows someone to donate a kidney now while protecting a loved one’s future transplant needs. Through this program, a donor can list up to five family members or friends on a voucher. If one of them ever needs a kidney transplant, they can use the voucher to receive priority on NKR’s living donor waitlist. "The way it works now is you can put a list of whoever you would like to be the first to be at the top of the list,” he said. “I think people will realize it’s a no-brainer if you have the time and the inclination,” he added.

Learn how to donate a kidney.

Nick Mangold

In 2025, former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, one of the most respected linemen of his era, tragically passed away at age 41 from complications related to his kidney failure.

In October 2025, Mangold announced that a genetic issue (diagnosed in 2006) caused his kidneys to fail. He made a public plea for a living kidney donor because he didn’t have any eligible family donors.  Later that month, the Jets announced that Mangold lost his battle with kidney failure. 

"Nick was the embodiment of consistency, strength, and leadership," said Jets Vice Chairman Christopher Johnson. "For over a decade, he anchored our offensive line with unmatched skill and determination, earning the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans alike. His contributions on the field were extraordinary—but it was his character, humility, and humor off the field that made him unforgettable."Mangold’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that thousands of people are waiting for a kidney, with 12 lives lost every single day.

But you can make a difference. Become an NKF advocate and help fight for policies that make living kidney donation easier to save more lives. 

Nate Robinson

In 2022, former NBA player Nate Robinson, known for his high-flying dunks and big personality, revealed he’d been living with kidney disease for more than 16 years. Robinson was diagnosed with high blood pressure in his 20s, which gradually led to kidney failure, forcing him to start dialysis in 2018. Despite the grueling treatments, Robinson stayed positive and shared his story to raise awareness.

In early 2025, Shane Cleveland, a basketball fan, saw Robinson’s appeal for a donor. Inspired by his wife’s own kidney donation, he decided to get tested. He was a match and successfully donated a kidney to Robinson later in the year.  “I got this guy right here to thank [for my kidney]. Some people don’t get to meet their guardian angels. I got a brother in mine,” Robinson said in a Playmaker video. “Mine is my brother, man. He helped me a lot, big time. I was struggling. He came through in the clutch.”

Considering living kidney donation? Speak with a trained NKF Peer mentor who donated a kidney.