March is a big month for basketball—and kidney health. Fresenius Kidney Care is teaming up with NBA All-Star Sean Elliott during National Kidney Month to raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of early detection. Elliott has thrived despite living with kidney disease and continued his NBA career after a successful transplant.

“Kidney disease has affected my life, my family, and my career,” said Elliott. “I had a responsibility to my team to look after my health. Getting tested and monitoring my condition made it possible for me to find the right treatment, and even get back to the game I love.”

Elliott first learned of his kidney disease, called focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, after the 1992-93 NBA season. He received a kidney transplant six years later from his brother, Noel Elliott. After the operation was successful and he took time to recover, Elliott stepped back onto the court as the first NBA player to return after a transplant.

More than 20 years later, Elliott speaks out publicly about the importance of kidney health awareness, chronic kidney disease (CKD) education, and getting tested. This year, Elliott and Fresenius Kidney Care are joining efforts to raise awareness of kidney disease and educate people on the importance of knowing their kidney health.

1 in 7 people are estimated to have kidney disease. Many, like Elliott, don’t even know they have it, as CKD is known to be a silent disease in the early stages. Fresenius Kidney Care is spreading the word with employees and others like Elliott serving as kidney coaches to educate family and friends about the importance of early detection and CKD screening. To learn more about kidney disease and these educational efforts visit freseniuskidneycare.com/kidneymonth.

Watch a short video with Sean Elliott sharing his story.