Patient Advocate, Educator & Consultant
At 40 years old, Valen has spent half of her life as a transplant recipient. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) at the age of 10, Valen needed a kidney transplant at 19 and a new liver at 35. Her experience navigating her health challenges with limited support and resources led her to become a passionate patient advocate for the past 20 years. Valen is a respected voice in the PKD, organ donation community, and beyond.
Valen strives to educate industry and clinicians on the post-transplant needs of recipients, raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, elevate kidney health, and offer hope to chronically ill patients. By sharing her firsthand experiences and creating the resources she wishes she had, Valen has educated millions, helped exemplify the transformative impact of transplantation, and inspires many past her own communities and causes. Her commitment to making the voice of the kidney and transplant community heard has become a beacon of hope for countless people and empowers many to be their own best advocates – taking better charge of their health while pursuing meaningful, purpose-driven lives.
-
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.
-
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.
Keynote speeches, events, and advocacy initiatives.
Project Highlight
Letters of Hope:
A Docuseries on the Trials and Triumphs of Transplantation
Being a transplant recipient is a lifelong and transformative journey. These Letters of Hope are presented from Valen to the community in an honest, vulnerable, and conversational way. Each addressing an important topic from receiving a diagnosis to post-transplant care. Valen shares the valuable lessons and surprising insights she’s learned throughout her lifetime of chronic illness that have helped her endure and navigate her path to and through kidney and liver transplantation. Now, her greatest wish is that her stories will help educate and empower you on your journey.
Created by Valen Keefer, Produced by Bierut Films, and sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific
There is no greater gift
than the gift of life.
- Valen Keefer
Follow Valen on Instagram
Featured On
