The “Kidney Pin” from John Fluevog, a kidney transplant recipient and shoe designer who emphasizes the need for kidney donors.
The Mount Laurel-based American Society of Transplantation (AST) has announced a partnership with renowned shoe designer John Fluevog to celebrate the life-saving impact of living kidney donation and raise awareness about the critical need for donors.
The AST is the largest transplant nonprofit in North America and has been recognized as the premier organization for transplant professionals. Founded in 1982, it currently has more than 5,000 members who advance the field of transplantation and improve patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, donation and community service.
The nonprofit is also an organizing force that advances the field through research, workforce development, knowledge sharing and advocacy.
Founded in 1970, John Fluevog Shoes is an independent footwear brand known worldwide for its distinctive designs, craftsmanship and creative storytelling. The partnership with AST has resulted in a limited-edition shoe collection inspired by Fluevog’s own transplant journey: He got a kidney from a living donor in 2025.
To express his gratitude, Fluevog designed two special shoes — The Patty and The Alan — named after his donor and her husband to honor the generosity, courage and lasting effect of living donation.
Fifteen percent of all U.S. Fluevog shoe sales will directly support the AST, while 15% of Canadian sales will support the Kidney Foundation of Canada. All profits from the collection’s Kidney Pin – designed by Fluevog – will be donated to the AST Living Donor Circle of Excellence and the Canadian foundation.
“This partnership is a powerful reminder that living donation changes lives, not just for recipients, but for families, communities and the entire transplant field,” noted Brooke Iarkowski, an AST manager and living kidney donor. “As a living donor myself, I know how meaningful it is to see the generosity of donors recognized in such a visible and creative way.
“These shoes are more than a design … they’re a conversation starter that can inspire more people to learn about living donation and the incredible impact it has.”
The limited-edition kidney shoes feature three distinctive straps representing the kidney’s ureter, renal artery and renal vein, an idea that came to Fluevog shortly after his transplant.
“These kidney shoes are my response to my thankfulness and my way of giving back,” he explained. “It’s about bringing awareness to the shortage of and need for kidney donors.”
The designer was inspired to make the shoes after his transplant.
“Even in my weakened state, I had no trouble realizing that this was a good idea,” he recounted. “I passed it on to the team and these shoes are what came out. The women’s style first, and then the men’s, both with three straps and in a great blood red (color). For a ‘non-sexy’ kidney shoe, I think they are very sexy indeed.”
In addition to the Patty and Alan shoe designs, the Kidney Pin is a striking enamel accessory also designed to support transplant awareness. The shoe company’s partnership also highlights AST’s Living Donor Circle of Excellence, which recognizes employers who support living donors.
The AST and John Fluevog Shoes want the collection to spark conversations, inspire support for living donation and highlight the lifesaving power of transplantation.
To purchase a kidney pin or shoes, visit www.fluevog.com
