Regular dialysis treatments are not just appointments, they are a lifeline for individuals with chronic kidney disease or failure.
The Ride with Kenny initiative, supported by the Kerry & Melinda Kirby Foundation in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, provides kidney patients across Louisiana with reliable, HIPAA-compliant transportation through Uber Health to and from their lifesaving dialysis treatments. The program ensures access to critical care for individuals reliant on ongoing treatment who face transportation barriers, improving outcomes and expanding access to lifesaving care statewide.
813 Patients
Since its launch in July 2024, the program has provided kidney patients with free rides to and from their dialysis treatments.
40%
Through the prevention of missed treatments, the program reduces the risk of adverse outcomes and hospitalizations by up to 40%.
25%
The program lowers overall mortality risk by up to 25% among patients who would otherwise miss their scheduled dialysis treatments.
In a state where more than 460,000 residents face chronic kidney disease and over 16,000 depend on dialysis to survive, transportation isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving. Ride with Kenny was created to close this gap, removing one of the greatest barriers to care: getting there.
Ride with Kenny is an Anthem Award winner, recognized for its pioneering program that empowers social workers across Louisiana to coordinate non-emergency medical transportation for dialysis patients. The initiative removes critical access barriers, including transportation challenges driven by coverage gaps, helping the state’s most vulnerable residents maintain consistent care and live healthier lives.
The Ride with Kenny initiative carries forward the legacy of Kenneth Fredrick Kirby—one of Louisiana’s first dialysis patients. Known as “Kenny,” to his friends and family, he was a devoted husband and loving father to Kerry W. Kirby and Karen Kirby Lasseigne, whose life was defined by service. He served his country in the United States Army and his community as an officer with the Louisiana State Police. After a courageous battle with chronic kidney disease, he passed away at just 33 years old.
