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National Hispanic Heritage Month

2026-10-08T14:06:42-04:00October 8th, 2026|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Stages of Kidney Disease, Treatment|

National Hispanic Heritage Month (often called Hispanic Heritage Month) is observed from September 15th to October 15th. This time of observation started in 1965 as Hispanic Heritage Week with the leadership of President Lyndon Johnson, and further amplified in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan (National Archives, 2024), to acknowledge the many important contributions Hispanic Americans have made throughout history. It’s also important to acknowledge the renal health disparities that still exist for minority populations in the United States, including Hispanic Americans. We typically see chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) occur at much higher rates among these populations, [...]

Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovation in End Stage Kidney Disease and Transplantation

2026-06-10T15:39:22-04:00June 10th, 2026|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Dr. Velma Scantlebury, MD, FACS, GCM, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant Over 90,000 patients sit on dialysis awaiting kidney transplantation, and thousands more are on some form of dialysis modality, with the hope of maintaining life without a kidney transplant. From chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) there are significant challenges for both patients and healthcare providers, including delays in the onset of dialysis, complications associated with dialysis, limited access to donor organs and the need for lifelong immunosuppression following transplantation. Additionally, socioeconomic disparities and geographic barriers often impact the quality and availability [...]

Innovation, Hope, and the Gift of a Second Chance – A Gift That Rewrites a Life

2026-06-10T14:50:39-04:00June 10th, 2026|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Medication, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

C. Andre’ Daniels, DPC Patient Ambassador Hope is not passive. It is not a soft sentiment or wishful thinking. For patients living with End-Stage Renal Disease, hope is often an act of discipline. It is the decision to keep going through the fatigue, the uncertainty, the appointments, the waiting, and the fear. It is the choice to believe that even in the face of illness--innovation, faith, and human generosity can come together to rewrite a life. I know this because I have lived it. When I woke up after my kidney transplant, I knew immediately that my life had [...]

Hope, Innovation, and Life Reimagined

2026-06-10T14:38:05-04:00June 10th, 2026|Categories: Kidney Transplant, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Albert Bailey Brisbane III, DPC Patient Ambassador I was a teenager when I first heard the word dialysis. In 1981, my father suddenly became critically ill while at work and was rushed to the hospital, where he passed away two weeks later. I remember being told that he refused dialysis. I didn’t know what dialysis was, only that my hero was gone forever. Years later, I heard that word again — dialysis. This time, it was my mother. Her experience came suddenly, and she began emergency dialysis in the hospital. In that moment, my sister and I didn’t think [...]

Living Donor Changes

2026-06-09T12:10:12-04:00June 4th, 2026|Categories: Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Quality of Life, Resources, Treatment|

What is living donation?  We hear about this often but may not know what it means. This occurs when a healthy person donates (our focus will be a kidney) a kidney to someone who needs a transplant (Directed Donation). Nondirected Donation occurs when the recipient may not know the donor; it can be done anonymously (Nondirected Donation), or Paired Donation when there are two donors and two recipients who need kidneys. They “swap” because the intended donor and recipient are more compatible with the other donor and recipient. This article focuses on the changes in the living donor process. It is [...]

What Treatment Option Do You Use?

2026-05-14T12:11:46-04:00May 6th, 2026|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Hemodialysis, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Quality of Life, Treatment|

A kidney transplant is the best possible treatment option for patients with kidney failure. If you aren’t eligible for a kidney transplant though, or if you are awaiting a kidney from a living or deceased donor, you will need dialysis. When it comes to treating kidney failure with dialysis, you have certain options. From dialyzing at home to getting treated at a center, research which one could better suit your lifestyle. DPC does not endorse treatments, practitioners, medicine, or brands; however, we aim to provide an overview of dialysis treatment options, both in and out of a treatment center. The [...]

National Minority Health Month and National Donate Life Month

2026-04-08T13:20:41-04:00April 8th, 2026|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Treatment|

Both events are celebrated in April and are designed to bring awareness about various illnesses and encourage individuals to concentrate on maintaining healthy lifestyles. When individuals are in tune with their bodies, this may help to identify and/or prevent a potential bigger problem. Awareness and education are essential when medical issues arise!  Ask questions, stay informed—be encouraged! The following information is retrieved from Black Health Matters (www.blackhealthmatters.com) and Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net). National Minority Health Month (Retrieved from: www.blackhealthmatters.com) What is National Minority Health Month? Observed every April, National Minority Health Month (NMHM) calls attention to and works to eliminate [...]

2025 State Medigap Wins & 2026 Priorities

2026-01-09T14:31:53-05:00January 5th, 2026|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 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

2026-01-08T09:59:11-05:00January 5th, 2026|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Kidney Transplant, Treatment|

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

2026-01-09T14:20:35-05:00January 5th, 2026|Categories: Dialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Support, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

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 [...]

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