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 >>

Kaiser Health News recently reported on new research that provides a fresh perspective on the importance of preventive care, early detection and access to nephrologists in improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). READ MORE >>

Recently the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will investigate possible inappropriate efforts by providers of dialysis services to steer patients eligible for Medicare and Medicaid into insurance plans paid for by third parties. We think this is an important issue and we fully support the effort to make sure that there is no room for undue influence over patients in choosing their insurance. READ MORE >>

Ever since I was four years old, I have been living with kidney failure. My experiences led me to pursue a master’s degree and become a Child Life Specialist—someone who normalizes the hospital environment for children and their families. READ MORE >>

National Minority Awareness Day has since become National Minority Awareness Week, and we observe it the first week of August every year. This special observance honors minorities who have been donors, and encourages others to register as donors and take better care of their health in order to reduce the number needing a transplant. The number one problem in transplantation remains the shortage of organs. READ MORE >>

Nine years at stage 3 CKD and holding—Gail Rae-Garwood shares her experience about slowing down CKD. READ MORE >>

Managing your fluids is an important part of living with kidney failure. If you’re on dialysis, these tips can help you beat the summer heat without overdoing your fluids. READ MORE >>

Summertime is here and if you are like most people, you are ready for a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine. Vacation anyone? But what if you are a dialysis patient? Can you still take a vacation? The answer is an absolute, positive, without a doubt YES!!! All it takes is a little planning and preparation, so let’s get started… READ MORE >>

Stephanie Holladay of Portland, Oregon, gave her kidney to Scott Warren on May 9, 2016 and both patients are recovering well. Read her story in our latest blog. READ MORE >>

As a patient services advocate who works with potential transplant recipients at a major hospital, I spend a lot of time correcting misperceptions and educating patients about what they need to do to get on the transplant list. As a kidney transplant recipient, I have a lot of “inside knowledge” that I readily share with anyone who will listen. READ MORE >>

Dialysis, isolation, depression, anger. Each of these words has a separate meaning but they seem to go hand-in-hand with each other. For many dialysis patients, these words combine to form a “new normal” state brought on by living with kidney failure. READ MORE >>