Patient Advocacy Leader, Health Educator, & Strategic Consultant
Valen Keefer is an internationally recognized and award-winning professional dedicated to transforming the way kidney, transplant, and chronic illness communities are seen, supported, and heard.
A rare kidney disease (PKD) patient and two-time organ transplant recipient, Valen has spent more than two decades using her lived experience to educate and empower others - supporting patients through the complexities of chronic illness, transplant journeys, and long-term health management, as well as guiding healthcare professionals to foster deeper connections with the communities they serve.
Her work bridges the emotional, educational, and strategic aspects of patient care, amplifying the patient voice in ways that drive real change.
Whether you’re a patient seeking knowledge, support, and empowerment or a professional aiming to better understand the patient journey, Valen invites you to explore, learn, and connect through the shared goal of making healthcare more human.
-
Valen is a patient advocate, educator, and consultant for several affiliates. In her work with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and many others, she brings the patient perspective to events, panel discussions, marketing campaigns, video series, and more.
-
Guiding the Future of Transplant and Kidney Care
Valen serves on multiple executive steering committees and patient advisory boards, bringing the lived experience voice to the forefront of healthcare innovation. Her insights help shape research priorities, improve patient outcomes, and foster collaboration between patients and professionals.
She contributes her leadership and expertise to organizations including:
Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease – Patient Chair on Executive Steering Committee, providing patient expertise in clinical trial design and scientific meetings
Vera Therapeutics - Patient Advocacy Steering Committee, Patient Expert on Executive Steering Committees and global nephrology and transplant strategic meetings
Otsuka Pharmaceutical – Patient Advisory Council member, helping to elevate kidney health and co-creating educational resources like Unpacking the Gift of Life podcast
NYU Langone CSTAR – Member of the Kidney Disease and Health Community Advisory Board, providing input on nephrology and transplantation research initiatives
-
Valen is an eloquent, poised, articulate and moving speaker. She has shared her extraordinary journey at more than 100 various events across North America, from galas, conferences, medical students, school districts, company town hall meetings, patient support groups, and more. Valen has a way of connecting and touching the hearts and minds of all she meets.
-
Through Valen’s heartfelt words in the 250+ articles and blogs she’s written for various organizations, magazines, and journals, she has painted an authentic picture of the challenges and joys of living with kidney disease and as a transplant recipient, which has educated, inspired and given hope to so many.
-
From TV interviews to guest interviews on podcasts to printed articles and magazine cover stories, Valen has been featured in many media and news outlet stories about her remarkable journey and the impactful work she has done.
Project Highlight
Unpacking the Gift of Life Podcast
Season 2 Launched September 2025
Season 2 of Unpacking the Gift of Life dives deeper into the emotional depth and daily realities of living with rare disease and navigating the transplant journey. Host Valen Keefer returns with powerful conversations that blend personal stories, expert advice, and heartfelt reflections to support listeners at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, Season 2 offers inspiration, community, and guidance for living well alongside chronic illness. Together, we’ll embrace what makes us rare and unpack the gift of life.
Unpacking the Gift of Life is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Keynote speeches, events, and advocacy initiatives.
There is no greater gift
than the gift of life.
- Valen Keefer
Follow Valen on Instagram
Featured On
