Olympian Suni Lee Announces Partnership With American Kidney Fund

Tokyo Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee recently revealed she had battled an unspecified kidney disease.

One year later, the 21-year-old announced she is partnering with American Kidney Fund (AKF) for its Know Your Kidneys initiative.

As part of her initiative, Suni Lee will share her personal journey with kidney disease, shedding light on lesser-known causes and offering valuable resources for those navigating similar health challenges.

On July 9, the American Kidney Fund announced their new partnership with the 21-year-old.

"We are excited to work with Suni, who is an inspiration to so many, especially young people. She has demonstrated grace and resilience in the face of a life-altering diagnosis," AKF President and CEO LaVarne A. Burton said in a press release.

"Suni is not alone — 1 in 7 Americans live with kidney disease, and she's also a part of a smaller group of people living with rare kidney diseases," Burton added.

"With Suni using her platform to encourage people to know their kidneys, know their cause, and know their plan, we can make an even stronger impact," the CEO continued in their statement.

Burton added, "Increasing awareness about the impact kidney disease has on people of all ages — and encouraging people with kidney disease to continue pursuing their dreams — is a goal that Suni and the American Kidney Fund have in common."

Two days later, the Olympian took to Instagram to share her excitement about partnering with AKF.

"I’m very excited to share that I will be partnering with the @AmericanKidneyFund for their new #KnowYourKidneys initiative!" she shared. "My experience with kidney disease has been challenging—and I’ve worked so hard to persevere in the face of a life-changing diagnosis to be able to represent my country in Paris this month."

Last year, Suni Lee revealed she had battled an unspecified kidney condition, which cut her NCAA gymnastics season with Auburn University short.

"I know firsthand that kidney disease can happen at any age, and sometimes the cause of your disease isn’t clear-cut," she continued in her Instagram post. "But I want to encourage others to be informed about their kidney health and self-advocate for a treatment plan that can allow them to live their best life. I’m honored to be working with the American Kidney Fund!!"

Suni Lee expressed that "getting diagnosed with kidney disease turned the world that I knew upside-down," and at the time of her diagnosis, she was 20 years old, "competing in a sport that I loved so much," Lee said in the press release announcing the new partnership. "My kidney disease has been difficult, and I know firsthand that sometimes the cause of your disease isn't clear-cut."

"But I want to encourage others to be informed about their kidney health and become a self-advocate for a treatment plan that can allow them to live their best life," the Olympian added. "I'm thrilled to work with the American Kidney Fund and I'm looking forward to getting started."

In addition to battling kidney disease, Suni Lee also opened up about her eczema struggles, which can "be kind of isolating."

"My skin was always super dry, super flaky. It was really uncomfortable because it was really itchy," she said, per CBS, where she spoke in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical company and Team USA health equity sponsor. "But my mom ended up taking me to the doctor and my doctor sent me to a dermatologist, and that's when we got my diagnosis, and we found the right treatment plan."

"I just want people to know that you are not alone and it does not define you," she continued. "When you deal with it and you're constantly looking down at your skin, you probably think, 'Oh, other people are looking at it and staring at it.' But in reality, I don't really think anyone's looking that hard."

Now, Suni Lee is gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she will represent Team USA.