European Renal Association (ERA)

With more than 7,000 members, the ERA (European Renal Association) is one of the biggest nephrology associations worldwide and one of the most important and prestigious European Medical Associations. It supports basic and clinical research in the fields of clinical nephrology, dialysis, renal transplantation and related subjects. Our mission is to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease that often leads to kidney failure. In Europe, the number of patients who need dialysis or renal transplantations is still rising. Therefore we need to fight chronic kidney disease!

The European Renal Association (ERA) does not offer medical advice. Information in all its publications, including its website and social media, is of a general nature and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of specific individuals. ERA-EDTA cannot engage in correspondence of any sort about such matters. ERA also cannot recommend or provide information about where, or from whom, to obtain healthcare services. If you have a medical problem or require medical advice, you should consult a doctor or other appropriate healthcare professional.

History
In the 1960s Drs. Stanley Shaldon, William Drukker and David Kerr saw that the future of the specialty of Nephrology would need to show more interest in the technical aspects of treating humans rather than just academic interest and animal research. There was no forum in the treatment of kidney failure other than transplantation - that was surgical and not very advanced as yet.

At the time there was no universal concept for future treatment, only to keep patients alive and selected patients were on treatment for selected transplants. New treatment techniques needed to be developed for the treatment for chronic dialysis patients, thus to keep people alive for a period of time and not just to prepare them for transplantation.

Mission:
Leading European Nephrology by
• Promoting kidney health for all
• Improving kidney care for patients
• Strengthening the kidney community

Vision:
A Europe where
• kidney health is prioritised
• kidney care is accessible
• The kidney community is thriving