April McGraw

AGNP-BC, FMACP

Functional Medicine Provider | Nephrology Expert | Autoimmune & CKD Advocate 

iKare Health & Wellness Solutions

Obituary of April McGraw

March 26, 1972 – August 26, 2025 

April LaDawn McGraw, a devoted nurse, healthcare leader, author, mentor, and fierce advocate for Lupus and kidney patients, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born on March26, 1972, April dedicated her life to advancing care, education, and empowerment for individuals and families affected by chronic kidney disease and related conditions. 

A graduate of Chamberlain College of Nursing, April was a Certified Nephrology Nurse for more than 20 years. She received her Master’s in Nursing from South University, and served with distinction in both in-center hemodialysis and home therapies, including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. 

Her leadership spanned roles from managing three dialysis centers to overseeing 14 home programs for DaVita Healthcare Partners. Beyond her administrative responsibilities, April remained known for her compassion and patient-centered approach, ensuring equitable access to quality care, especially for underserved communities. 

April later became a nationally board-certified Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. She combined clinical expertise with personal experience—having herself been diagnosed with lupus and kidney disease as a teenager—to create innovative care models that bridged nephrology, autoimmune care, and functional medicine. Through her company, iKARE Health & Wellness Solutions, April developed the iKARE Method and Core 360+ approach, helping countless patients improve their health, reduce medications, and thrive despite chronic illness. 

Her passion for education extended to writing and publishing. She authored Permission to Thrive: 7 Effective Steps to Coping With Kidney Disease, Stepping Into Entrepreneurship, and 7 Steps to Coping With Chronic Illness, as well as numerous professional articles. Through her words, April inspired both patients and healthcare providers alike. 

April will be remembered not only for her impressive credentials and professional impact but also for her warmth, resilience, and unwavering advocacy. She carried a gift for listening deeply, validating the struggles of others, and empowering them to reclaim hope and health. 

April was a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Xi Zeta Chapter in Williamsburg, Virginia. She faithfully served her chapter as the immediate past Financial Secretary and as the current Treasurer, embracing every opportunity to give back. Through her sorority, April found joy in sisterhood and purpose in service, especially in supporting and uplifting her local community. 

April’s professional service included leadership roles as secretary of her local American Nephrology Nurse Association (ANNA) chapter and as a Peer Mentor for the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). She was also the founder and CEO of iKARE Renal Solutions, LLC, where she continued to mentor, coach, and guide others in their personal and professional journeys. 

April was preceded in death by her father, Larry Brown Wiggins; paternal grandmother Leona Brown Wiggins; maternal grandparents, Jimmy Harris (whom April affectionately called Grand Chile), and Queen Ella Stinson.  

She is survived by her loving husband Johnny Darryl McGraw, Sr.; her children Christina Brianna McGraw and Johnny Darryl McGraw, Jr.; her mother Brenda Denise Stinson; three sisters Tiffany Denise Royster #2, Chaquita Martin #3, Eugenea “Gina” Renee Watkins #4; one brother Quinn Brown Wiggins; four grandchildren: Christian Darryl McGraw, Camille Ruby McGraw, Malcolm Jerard “MJ” Adrian Irving, Jr., and Kaiiro Davvon Matthews; one niece Danielle LaDawn Moore; one nephew Jimmy Lee Moore, Jr.; and extended family and many friends and colleagues who will forever cherish her legacy of service, compassion, and courage. 

In addition, she leaves behind her Best Friend and Sister, Leaticia Roberts, and two Godchildren, Ukari and Jada Roberts; and Mona McGraw-Robertson (NeNe’s Partner in Crime). 

Aprilism: “Now let that sink into your spirit.”