Cele's Champions: Cele Fogarty Travel Support Program for Patients
This application is currently closed. The application for Kidney Week 2027 support will be posted in March 2027.
On behalf of the 850,000,000 people worldwide with kidney diseases, the Cele Fogarty Travel Support Program for Patients ("Cele's Champions") honors people living with kidney diseases or caring for an individual with kidney diseases by supporting their voice and advocacy.
Cecilia "Cele" Agnes Fogarty was a leading executive in event management and member services for decades, advancing the work of several major organizations in health care, medicine, science, and other areas. Ms. Fogarty was renowned for her ability to manage the most complex meeting logistics, anticipate challenges, and meet the unexpected crises—large and small—with aplomb and sometimes magic. Her dedication and persistence parallel the courage and diligence to live well with a chronic disease. Throughout her career, she mentored countless meeting and event professionals as well as other staff from not-for-profit organizations and the hospitality industry.
Prior to joining the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) in 2013 as a full-time member of its staff, Ms. Fogarty was Vice President of Event Services for Smith Bucklin. In addition to her management responsibilities for ASN, she worked closely with other client organizations, including the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the Rehabilitation, Engineering and Assistive Technology Society (RESNA). In her role with RESNA, she became a leading industry expert in the implementation of the then newly enacted Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. She worked passionately to ensure that hotels and convention facilities accommodated people with disabilities.
Prior to her death in 2021, Ms. Fogarty served as ASN Vice President for Meetings and Member Experience. She and her team were responsible for managing the logistics for ASN Kidney Week (the largest nephrology meeting in the world), the society's other national and international events, and related activities. Starting with the ASN Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX, in 1988, she oversaw logistics for every conference through ASN Kidney Week 2020 Reimagined. Despite being diagnosed with kidney disease herself, Ms. Fogarty continued to work towards "A world without kidney diseases," including the strenuous onsite meeting management, due to the flexibility of peritoneal dialysis, and commitment and support of her care team.
ASN is committed to including the patient voice throughout the organization and in its activities. To honor Ms. Fogarty, her commitment to mentorship, and her passion for accommodating all people regardless of the challenges they may face, ASN will annually provide up to 10 individuals with travel support to attend ASN Kidney Week, the meeting that Ms. Fogarty worked so hard to organize and execute.
Eligibility and Award
Awardees may be newly diagnosed, have lived with kidney diseases for many years, or have served as a care partner but must consider themselves as a patient advocate who speaks up for the 850,000,000 people worldwide—including 37,0000,000 Americans—with kidney diseases. Ideal applicants will have experience with or interest in working with the American Society of Nephrology to create a world without kidney diseases. Previous recipients of the Cele's Champion travel grant are not eligible. Care partners or family members of previous recipients will be considered only if space is available.
All awardees will receive complimentary membership to ASN for one-year, complimentary registration to ASN Kidney Week, and $1,500 travel support to attend the annual meeting in-person. The travel support is intended to offset the costs associated with travel, hotel accommodations, and meals. ASN will highlight the Cele's Champions in several activities during Kidney Week, starting with the Opening Plenary Session. Additional suggestions for how to maximize participation in the meeting will be offered to all awardees.
Application
Applications must be submitted through the ASN website. We are no longer accepting applications for ASN Kidney Week 2026. Please check here in March 2027 for the 2027 application.
Recipients
2025
Curtisha Anderson
Aja Best
Christopher Bryant
Marc Coronel
Jullie Hoggan
Jennifer McClung
Shannon Mulroy
Sharron Rouse
Ana Patricia Vite Abdo
2024
Dawn Bates
Meradee Dransfield
Dawn Edwards
Valen Keefer
Susan Reale
Tangela Robinson
Chelsea Roman
Melissa Sanchez Tolzien
Anne Walsh
2023
Thelma Barber
John Bayton
Alexis Conell
Maribel Costel
Arnold Davis
Roberta Reed
Janet Tennyson
Dominika Woch
2022
Lubna Akbany
Jimmie Bates
Nieltje Gedney
Jackson Goodrich
Jennifer Meyer
Janine Reed
Charles Rice
Wendy Rodgers
Contact
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Melissa West, ASN Senior Director for Strategic Relations and Patient Engagement at mwest@asn-online.org.