The Kidney Citizen Issue 23

President’s Message

As I reflect on this issue of The Kidney Citizen, I’m reminded of the powerful role innovation plays in each of our journeys with kidney disease. Innovation is not just about new technology. It’s about possibility. It motivates patients, inspires hope, and reminds us that better outcomes are within reach.

When I began dialysis, I was balancing work, family, and the physical and emotional toll of treatment. Like many patients, I had to make difficult adjustments, but I was determined to keep moving forward. What made the biggest difference was staying engaged, leaning on my support system, and taking an active role in understanding my care. I didn’t want to just go through treatment; I wanted to take control of it.

That perspective shapes how I think of innovation today. We are seeing promising advancements, including a new type of dialysis machine gaining traction in Europe that is improving how effectively toxins are removed from the blood. There is also progress in managing phosphorus levels, preventing infections and treating anemia. These are all important steps that make treatment safer and more manageable for patients.

But innovation isn’t only about technology. It’s also about empowerment. It’s about asking questions, seeking knowledge, and advocating for ourselves and others. That mindset helped carry me through my own journey and continues to guide my work today.

What all of this creates, above all else, is optimism. It reminds us that today’s challenges do not define tomorrow’s possibilities. Each new development, and each patient who finds their voice, brings us closer to a future where living well with kidney disease is the expectation, not the exception.

I encourage you to get even more involved with our affiliate, Dialysis Patient Citizens. Along with the DPC Education Center, it remains committed to supporting and advocating for continued innovation in kidney care. Because when innovation thrives, patients thrive – and that’s what drives us forward.

Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to inspire change through your resilience, your voice, and your unwavering hope.

Sincerely,

Merida Bourjolly
President of DPC Education Center Board of Directors

CEO’s Message

Thank you for reading the 23rd issue of the Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center’s magazine, The Kidney Citizen. For more than two decades, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) has remained committed to one central mission: ensuring that patients have a powerful voice in the policies and decisions that shape their care. As the nation’s largest patient-led dialysis organization, we continue to stand alongside the more than half a million Americans living with kidney failure – amplifying your experiences, your needs, and your vision for a better future

This issue’s theme, Innovation and Empowerment, speaks to both the urgency of this moment and the opportunity ahead. While there have been meaningful advances in kidney care, it is clear that far more innovation is needed – especially when it comes to improving patient outcomes, expanding treatment options, and modernizing the systems that support care delivery. Patients deserve not only better therapies, but also a healthcare system that keeps up with their needs.

One area where change is especially vital is the current payment system, which too often falls short in supporting innovation and patient-centered care. Reforming this flawed system is essential to unlocking new solutions and ensuring that patients have access to the best possible treatments. At DPC, we are committed to shining a light on these challenges and working with policymakers to drive meaningful change.

But real change doesn’t happen without action, and that’s where your voice matters most. Through kidneyaction.org, patients, caregivers, and advocates can connect directly with members of Congress to share their stories and push for policies that prioritize innovation and equity in kidney care. Advocacy is not just part of our mission. It’s the engine that drives progress.

As you read through this issue, I encourage you to see yourself as part of that movement. Each of us has a role to play in leading the charge toward a more innovative, equitable, and patient-centered future. Together, we can challenge the status quo, elevate patient voices, and help shape a system that truly works for everyone.

Thank you for your continued commitment to this community – for speaking up, staying engaged, and pushing forward. The future of kidney care depends on all of us, and I am proud to stand with you as we lead the way.

Sincerely,

Hrant Jamgochian, J.D., LL.M.
Chief Executive Officer, Dialysis Patient Citizens