Recipe of the Month: Caramel Rolls
February’s recipe is a labor of love but would make the perfect sweet treat for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day: Caramel Rolls.
Habichuelas tiernas horneadas con parmesano
Receta enviada por: JoEllen Ford, MS, RD, LDN Tiempo de preparación: 5 min Tiempo de cocción: 15 min Tiempo total: 20 min Porciones: 4 Ingredientes: 1 libra (aprox. 450 g) habichuelas tiernas (o judías verdes) frescas 2 cucharadas aceite de oliva 2 cucharadas queso parmesano rallado 2 cucharadas pan rallado japonés (panko) ¼ cucharadita sal ½ cucharadita ajo en polvo Instrucciones: Precaliente el horno a 400 °F (200 °C). En un tazón grande, mezcle todos los ingredientes hasta que las habichuelas tiernas (o judías verdes) estén bien cubiertas con el resto de los ingredientes. Distribuya las habichuelas o judías en [...]
2025 State Medigap Wins & 2026 Priorities
Elizabeth Lively, DPC Eastern Region Advocacy Director Pamela Zielske, DPC Western Region Advocacy Director DPC will continue to build on this momentum in the state Medigap arena in the 2026 legislative session. Our state advocacy directors are currently planning on advancing Medigap legislation in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, and Utah. How can you help? We are always looking for DPC Patient Ambassadors to share their stories by writing letters to legislators, testifying at committee hearings, and participating in Action Alerts that are emailed to our members. Building strong relationships with legislators through the legislative process [...]
January is National Blood Donor Month
Every blood donation is a lifeline, especially for dialysis and transplant patients who depend on a reliable blood supply for treatment, surgery, and recovery. During National Blood Donor Month, we’re reminded just how critical donated blood is to patient care, particularly as supplies often run low at this time of year. By donating blood, you can make a direct and immediate impact. One donation can help save multiple lives and ensure patients receive the care they need without delay. This National Blood Donor Month, DPC is encouraging everyone who is able to step up and be the reason someone gets [...]
Living Fully: My Journey with Peritoneal Dialysis
Dwan Dobson, DPC Patient Ambassador When I was first diagnosed with kidney failure in 2005, it felt like my life had been turned upside down overnight. One day I was working two jobs as a teacher and tutor at a detention center, and the next, I was in the hospital learning that my kidneys had stopped working. Like so many others, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was determined to stay positive and keep moving forward. At first, I began emergency dialysis through a chest port. Once I adjusted, I transitioned to peritoneal dialysis (PD) at [...]
Choosing the Right Path: My Journey with Home Hemodialysis
Amber Gardner, DPC Patient Ambassador When I was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2023, it came as a shock. I had gone to the doctor for high blood pressure, but soon learned that my kidneys were failing. Suddenly, I was faced with decisions that would affect every part of my life – which treatment option to choose, how to adjust my routine, and what this diagnosis meant for my future. With a background in journalism, research has always been second nature to me. I spent hours learning about dialysis – comparing hemodialysis (HD), done through the arm or [...]
Turning Trials into Triumph: A Journey with Kidney Disease
Alethea Walls, DPC Board Member I've learned that living with kidney disease doesn't mean life stops - it just means you learn to live it differently. My journey with kidney disease began at just 14 years old. I was diagnosed with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), and my life changed overnight. While most teenagers were navigating high school and part-time jobs, I was learning about my treatment options. I started with peritoneal dialysis, then transitioned to hemodialysis. Each option came with its own adjustments, but I wasn't going to let this stop me. As soon as I turned 16, [...]
Treatment Options for End Stage Renal Disease
Nancy Scott, DPC Education Center Project Manager Many patients crash into dialysis and are placed into in-center dialysis centers. Hopefully, more providers are educating patients about treatment options. When patients are engaged and educated about their respective conditions, they tend to have a better quality of life both physically and mentally. The world of kidney disease is forever changing and making a significant impact on the journey of renal patients. Explore Potential Treatment Options for Kidney Failure[1] A kidney transplant is often the best possible treatment option for patients with kidney failure. If you aren’t eligible for a [...]
Nocturnal Home Hemodialysis (HHD): Kidney Replacement Therapy with Less Impact on Daily Life
Brigitte Schiller, MD, FACP, FASN, SVP, Medical Officer: Home Therapies, Global Medical Office, Medical Affairs, Fresenius Medical Care Important progress has been made in the delivery of dialysis. The “one size fits all” approach with standard thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis shifts toward personalized care, emphasizing quality of life, independence, and symptom management tailored to each person’s clinical and personal needs. Kidney replacement therapy at home is a critical ingredient in this effort. While kidney transplantation remains the gold standard of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), most people require dialysis before receiving a transplant. As patients await transplantation, selecting the appropriate [...]
Staying Hopeful Through the Wait
Hasan Artharee, DPC Board Member Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) runs in my family. I watched my grandmother go through dialysis when I was young, and later my mother during my college years. So, when I was diagnosed with PKD at 22, I understood what the future might hold. The diagnosis came after my blood pressure kept rising and I needed medication. My doctors checked my kidneys and found that PKD was affecting my blood pressure and other systems. They told me that based on my family history, I'd probably need dialysis or a transplant by my 40s. For [...]