Oct. 4, 2016, was the day Zach Gifford’s life changed forever.
Before, he had been diagnosed with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgA), a type of kidney disease that often progresses slowly but is incurable. He spent a year and a half on dialysis.
With a courage that defined their bond, Gifford’s father, Rod, decided to donate his kidney to a stranger, in exchange for a compatible kidney for Gifford. The paired exchange took place through the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Gifford’s father donated his kidney to a woman in Philadelphia, and Gifford received his new kidney from a donor in Denver.
This act not only saved Gifford’s life but also inspired his ongoing commitment to the National Kidney Foundation. Today, all the donors and recipients are thriving, and Gifford remains a fervent advocate for organ donation and educating individuals on the importance of living donors.
He also channels that gratitude and determination into the annual NKF Golf Tournament, an event that combines his love of the game with his passion for the organization that supported him on his lifesaving journey. Thirty teams are expected to compete on June 3 at The Club at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Virginia, raising funds for the NKF and building awareness around kidney health.
The top three teams in both competitive divisions — Gross Division and Handicap Division — from each NKF Golf Classic will receive invitations to compete in the NKF National Finals at Pebble Beach Golf Resorts in January 2025.
“I’m incredibly excited to see all our outstanding sponsors and supporters,” said Gifford, the tournament chairman. “It’s going to be a fantastic day of competition where we’ll raise a substantial amount of money for NKF so they can continue to help over 37 million U.S. adults currently battling kidney disease.”
Family Legacy
Golf has always been more than a game for Gifford; it’s a family legacy. Taught by his grandfather and father at age 10, Gifford grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, where he caddied at the historic Chicago Golf Club. It’s still his favorite course — and he’s played all over the world.
For those looking to get better at golf, Gifford advises practicing with a purpose.
“This can be as simple as trying to hit draws, slices, cuts, punch shots, etc. on the range,” he said. “This helps remove the monotony when you’re practicing and gets you more comfortable hitting a variety of shots.”
He also recommends committing to as many shots as possible during a round, a technique he said vastly improves one’s game over time.
“It could be as easy as committing to a chip after you muff the first one,” he said. “Getting into the groove of committing to shots builds confidence and helps you get in a better mindset throughout the round. You’ll start to see small but measurable changes the more you commit during your round.”
The NKF Golf Tournament not only raises funds but also awareness about kidney disease and the critical need for organ donors. Gifford’s involvement with NKF began in 2018 when he was introduced to NKF CEO Kevin Longino, a fellow kidney transplant recipient. Since then, he has supported numerous advocacy efforts, becoming chairman of the National Capital Regional Golf Tournament in 2020 and becoming a board member in 2023. Last year, he and his father qualified for the National Finals at Pebble Beach.
Spreading Awareness
While Gifford was on dialysis, he leaned into the knowledge base of NKF, which became a key resource for him to learn more about kidney disease, healthy eating and the organ transplant process.
NKF’s Big Ask Big Give program provides patients with support and tools needed to seek living donors. The NKF Peers program matches up patients and potential living donors with trained mentors who have walked in their shoes and can provide comfort and support.
And there are countless other ways to provide support. Gifford urges those who can to consider becoming living organ donors. Many people, he said, simply don’t know you can live with only one kidney or that many individuals can live healthy lives after providing a partial liver.
His donor had no connection to anyone with kidney disease, he added. She learned about donating through an article she was researching.
“There are 100,000 people on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant, and sadly, two-thirds of those individuals will die before receiving an organ,” Gifford said. “We need more Americans to register as kidney donors. It’s as simple as checking a box when you renew your driver’s license.”
Early detection and diagnosis are also crucial, with one-third of adults at risk due to diabetes and hypertension. NKF’s online kidney risk quiz provides a quick assessment to help identify those at risk and connect them with resources.
As for Gifford, he plans to continue traveling the world, playing golf and supporting NKF’s critical mission. But most important, he wants to never lose sight of how fortunate he is to have a second chance at life.
For sponsorship opportunities or to register, visit NKF Golf Tournament or email Teddy Mosher at giles.mosher@kidney.org.