Every renal patient should understand the meaning of phosphorus and how it can affect their quality of life. The consumption of too much phosphorus can cause heart disease, weak bones, joint pain, and can sometimes be fatal. It is imperative that all renal patients consult with a nutritionist and/or medical providers. These professionals can help you to adopt a low phosphorus diet. The following information can be found on the DaVita website (davita.com). What is phosphorus and what does it do in the body? Phosphorus is a mineral found in the body. About 85 percent of the phosphorus in the bod ..read more

Jackson Williams, DPC Vice President of Public Policy Fifteen years ago, the Institute of Medicine report, “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce,” warned of looming health workforce shortages due to demographic changes. Has the era foreseen by that report arrived? Media reports indicate numerous instances of hospitals declaring “contingency standards of care” or ordering ambulance diversions due to staffing shortages. Average emergency department visit times have risen to 160 minutes, up from 143 minutes in 2020, according to government statistics. Medicare ben ..read more

Megan Hashbarger, DPC Vice President of Government Relations In October 2023, DPC held its’ annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. This year, we were able to bring over 50 patients to D.C. from 23 different states. Unfortunately, due to Covid complications and for the best safety of our patients, we did end up having to make their Hill meetings virtual. Despite this, we were still able to meet with almost 60 Congressional offices about issues facing dialysis patients such as the need for access to Medigap and private insurance. We were also able to host a day of advocacy training for our p ..read more

Adrian Ropp, DPC Patient Ambassador It was Christmas and I was home to visit my parents for the holidays. It was the first time I had traveled there in a year without my dialysis equipment or a schedule to visit a clinic. A brave police officer named Albert had recently lost his life, but he had registered as an organ donor. Because of this, I was celebrating a Christmas I had not expected. It happened (and believe me, it is a story that would take this whole article) that my savior’s family – his wife Lori and their three children, lived in my parents’ hometown. We had made plans to meet f ..read more

Velma Scantlebury, MD, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant 1. Will a transplanted patient who receives a kidney from a diabetic individual become diabetic? Diabetes results from a lack of the ability of your body to produce/and or use insulin effectively. If a kidney is used from a deceased donor who is diabetic, it is often biopsied to make sure that the kidney is not damaged from diabetes. Some transplant patients are at risk of becoming diabetic due to the anti-rejection medications used, including the use of steroids to treat rejection episodes. Therefore, your risk of becoming ..read more

Eugene Blankenship, DPC Board of Directors Gene has had a front row seat to life with kidney disease for as long as he can remember. His entire family has been affected by kidney disease, and he was diagnosed himself in 2003. While it has come with challenges, Gene has continuously pushed forward, bolstered by the loving support of his family and those in the dialysis community he’s met along the way. After three years on dialysis, Gene was finally able to receive a kidney transplant this year. Persevering through dialysis treatments can take a toll, but Gene learned firsthand his ability t ..read more

Nancy L. Scott, DPC Education Center Project Manager As I sat on the side of my hospital bed on a cold night in March of 2004, my heart was broken and it felt as though my time on the planet was almost over. I had just been diagnosed with END STAGE RENAL DISEASE. The word “end” means a final part of something, and I thought that something meant me. I had just retired and planned to enjoy life and travel as much as possible. These dreams had come to an end! (Little did I know at the time, the dreams were just beginning!) The nephrologist had just left the hospital room and said she would be ..read more

In this Issue: Knowledge to Empowerment For Gene Blankenship, Family is Everything Merida Bourjolly: Taking Control of Her Care and Finding Meaning Through Advocacy Ask the Doctor How Transplant Changed My Life Forever DPC’s 2023 Advocacy Day Kidney Friendly Recipes DPC Raises Alarm on Health Workforce Shortages Download PDF President’s Message Greetings to all of you reading our latest edition of The Kidney Citizen. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support, particularly as we celebrate DPC’s 20th anniversary. It is our hope that the information, insights, and inspiration ..read more

Donate     Join DPC   April 25, 2024         Dialysis Patient Citizens Issues Statement on Passing of Congressman Donald Payne Jr. WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 24, 2024) – Today, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) Board President Andrew Conkling issued the following statement on the passing of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ). Rep. Payne received dialysis treatment, advocated for better care and insurance coverage for dialysis patients, and spoke at a DPC advocacy event in ..read more

Donate   Join DPC   April 11, 2024       NephU Provides Resources for Dialysis Patients At DPC and the Education Center, we understand how imperative it is that we keep our members abreast of the tools available to help to ensure quality of life. We often collaborate with other organizations that are consistently advocating and educating for the rights and information for renal patients to be equipped with the necessary knowledge about renal disease. For the past several months, we ..read more