Today was my first day of dialysis at the local dialysis clinic. I have been waiting on this day for a long time and I realized once I got here that you can never truly prepare yourself for what you are about to experience. READ MORE >>

Diabetes is a disease that causes your body to have trouble making or using insulin, a hormone that helps your body turn sugar from the foods you eat into energy. When your body doesn't use insulin the way it should, too much sugar stays in your blood. READ MORE >>

The medical team believes that the in-line transfusion between their fathers years ago may have played a role in the compatibility of the transplant. Circumstances beyond her control have shaped Dorothy Krummel’s life, for better and worse. Yet, the bigger picture has worked in her favor and unexpected individuals have carried her through her darkest moments. READ MORE >>

If you are a transplant patient, the federal government wants to hear from you. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government agency that regulates the production of all medications in the United States. To determine whether a drug is placed on the market, the FDA measures whether the benefits of a drug outweigh the risks. READ MORE >>

While some people are more at risk than others for kidney disease, it’s important to know there are some things you can control. Though you can’t change your family history, race or age, you can reduce the chances of developing other conditions that can lead to kidney disease—including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease—through lifestyle changes. READ MORE >>

A diagnosis of kidney failure is life-changing. Because kidney failure has no cure, patients need dialysis or a transplant to live, and the vast majority of patients will be on dialysis. READ MORE >>

Five years ago I learned that my kidneys had failed and I would need to start dialysis to survive. Soon after, I found myself dealing with the sudden death of my mother. Dealing with these two sudden, devastating events at the same time was very challenging and I wasn’t sure how to make things work. READ MORE >>

I’ve had kidney disease for half my life, and I have worked hard to do what I needed to in spite of it—graduating high school, college and graduate school, and pursuing my career in education. READ MORE >>