About Us...
Welcome to the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise® (ACKEE).
At ACKEE, our mission is simple: we are passionate about kidney health and the prevention of kidney disease in all ethnicities, with a focus on the Black African Caribbean community.
Did you know that people from Black communities are five times more likely to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) than other groups?
Factors such as hypertension, diabetes, genetic predisposition, dietary habits, and a lack of health discussions within the community contribute to this disparity.
Our founder, Candice McKenzie, understands this challenge firsthand. Diagnosed with a CKD called IgA nephropathy in 2019, she experienced the complexities of kidney disease and its impact on life. IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is an autoimmune condition with varying symptoms that may go unnoticed for years. As the kidney function declines, complications such as high blood pressure and the need for dialysis or a transplant arise.
Sadly, in 2022, Candice’s kidneys failed, leading her to start dialysis to sustain her life as she waited for a kidney transplant. Her journey underscores the pressing need for awareness and action within Black communities.
The 2024/25 NHS Blood and Transplant Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation shows that as of 31 March 2025, Black patients represent twelve percent (12%) of the kidney transplant waiting list, which is 1,221 people out of 10,012. Yet Black people make up only two percent (2%) of deceased kidney donors in the year 2024 - 2025.
Black people are more likely to need a kidney transplant, but less likely to receive one due to a shortage of donors.
The number of organs available isn’t sufficient for the demand.
The same report also shows that Black patients wait on average 560 days for a kidney, compared with 463 days for a White patient, making there an urgent need for more black people to sign up to the organ donation list to help reduce the waiting time.
Candice personally waited 1249 days before receiving a transplant in September 2025
At ACKEE, we are committed to changing this narrative. Through advocacy and education, we strive to reduce the incidence of kidney disease and increase organ donation within Black communities.
By fostering dialogue, promoting healthy lifestyles, and raising awareness, we aim to create a future where kidney disease is less prevalent in the Black community and deceased organ donation is increased.
Join us in our mission to advocate and educate. If we plant seeds in life, we can bear fruit in legacy.
With God all things are possible Matthew 19:26
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