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Kidney Failure and Fighting for Our Cause

2025-10-10T15:01:20-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Support, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Adam Goldstein, DPC Board Member When I was 19, I had my whole life planned out, but cancer had other plans. I survived, but not unscathed. The chemotherapy that saved my life also damaged my kidneys. I was diagnosed with kidney failure and began dialysis soon after. For years, I was determined to push forward and live “normally.” I got a transplant. It gave me back a sense of independence, a sense that maybe life would stop orbiting around hospitals and lab results. But as many of you know, a transplant isn’t always a cure. Mine eventually failed. And [...]

DPC’s 2025 State Advocacy Wins

2025-10-10T14:51:48-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Resources, The Kidney Citizen|

Elizabeth Lively, DPC Eastern Region Advocacy Director Pamela Zielske, DPC Western Region Advocacy Director DPC achieved key state wins for ESRD patients as several states passed Medigap premium protections during the 2025 session, with legislation in additional states still in play. In addition, several states passed “birthday rule” bills, which aim to allow more flexibility and patient choice for individuals with Medicare Supplement plans by providing a window for Medigap enrollees to change their plans without medical underwriting. As insurers price their plans differently, enrollees may find a more affordable premium for the same plan from a [...]

One Day at a Time: Life Beyond Kidney Failure

2025-10-10T14:09:18-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Adrian Miller, DPC Board Member Thirteen years ago, I thought my story was over before it really began. I was walking with my brother on Super Bowl Sunday in February 2012, following our tradition of visiting neighborhood bars before heading to our parents' house. But that day, I couldn't even make it a block without stopping to catch my breath. I was gasping for air like I'd just run a marathon. Deep down, I knew something was seriously wrong. The next morning, I asked my sister to take me to the emergency room. When they checked my blood pressure [...]

You Are What You Eat!

2025-07-09T12:44:01-04:00July 8th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Nutrition, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

Hypertension and diabetes are two known risk factors for chronic kidney disease. It is vital that all patients follow a renal diet whether on dialysis or transplanted. Sodium and potassium must always be monitored by obtaining the appropriate labs. It is also extremely important to consult with a nutritionist or dietitian to ensure that the proper diet is followed, especially if one is experiencing problems with hypertension and/or diabetes. Proper nutrition is a key factor in living your best life!  Of course, your nephrologist and/or general practitioner should always monitor your overall health concerns. We urge you to read this [...]

Why Medicare’s Payment System Keeps New Dialysis Drugs from Reaching Patients

2025-05-07T13:39:04-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Medication, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Jackson Williams, DPC Vice President of Public Policy Payment bundling is a technique Medicare uses to increase efficiency and reduce low-value care during a treatment episode. Congress adopted a payment bundle for dialysis a decade ago and for several years it worked well. But trade-offs are inherent in bundles and there is always potential for a negative impact on consumers. This negative experience has arrived for dialysis patients in the form of non—prescribing of new drugs. Patients are missing out on improvements to their health and quality of life. A bundled payment sets a maximum price for all [...]

A Faithful Kidney Patient Caregiver’s Journey

2025-05-07T13:34:15-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Sheree Stephens, DPC Patient Ambassador I would describe being a kidney patient caregiver to my husband as inspiring, beautiful, and life changing. Ken has fought kidney failure for years, and I’ve stood beside him every step of the way. The journey can be, at times, stressful and tiring but with strong communication and a strong relationship with God, the journey is not nearly as overwhelming. When we met in 2010, he told me upfront his kidneys were failing. I heard him, but love doesn’t calculate risks. We built a life together, knowing challenges would come. In 2016, they [...]

Preventing Infections in Hemodialysis

2025-06-11T10:54:18-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Dr. Anil Agarwal, Nephrologist Download PDF Article Descargar artículo en PDF For patients undergoing hemodialysis, infection prevention is not just a recommendation, it’s a necessity. Hemodialysis patients have a compromised immune system and face a heightened risk of infections, which can affect their lives in a multitude of ways. Many suffer from bloodstream infections, which can lead to hospitalization and even life-threatening complications like sepsis. Catheter-related infections and skin infections near the vascular access site, also quite common, can put patients in the hospital as well. Any of these infections can delay hemodialysis patients’ upcoming kidney [...]

The Importance of Immunizations for People with Kidney Disease

2025-05-07T13:28:03-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Immunizations, Kidney Transplant, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Rebecca Schmidt, DO Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD Kristina Bryant, MD Written On Behalf of the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Community Vaccination Collaborative Introduction Living with kidney disease presents unique health challenges, including an increased susceptibility to infections. Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting people with kidney disease, including those on dialysis or with a kidney transplant, from preventable diseases. This article will discuss the importance of vaccines in general and those protecting against respiratory illness specifically, the risks associated with not being vaccinated, and concerns related to misinformation on vaccination decisions. [...]

Ask the Doctor May 2025

2025-05-07T13:27:31-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Medication, Nutrition, Physical Health, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Velma Scantlebury, MD, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant 1. What is the impact of phosphorus on kidney patients? For patients with kidney disease on dialysis, they are unable to remove excess phosphorus from the blood. This leads to high phosphorus levels, also known as hyperphosphatemia. Since dialysis does not remove phosphorus, it is important to limit foods high in phosphorus to avoid a build-up in various places in the body. Too much phosphorus results in the following: Bone and heart problems: Excess phosphorus causes your body to pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak and [...]

What About the Children?

2025-05-08T11:44:16-04:00April 24th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Treatment|

The pandemic was devastating. Businesses closed and some never reopened! Students were taught virtually! Many people died! Many were afraid because of lack of finances and not knowing what the future held! But what about the children who had COVID and are now experiencing chronic kidney disease and other health diseases after having COVID? The following article was retrieved from a news release from Penn Medicine (pennmedicine.org) on April 21, 2025. Penn Medicine is a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) that is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Read the full press release: Children face elevated [...]

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