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How Are You?

2025-10-08T14:02:24-04:00October 8th, 2025|Categories: eNews, Mental Health, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Stress Management|

How are you? The usual answers are: “I am okay” or “I am fine”. But, how are you really doing? Are you sad? Are you afraid? Are you depressed? Are you feeling anxious? Are you angry? Are you happy? Let us focus on emotional well-being. What is emotional well-being? Many scholars believe that emotional well-being refers to a state of mental health characterized by positive emotions, resilience, and the ability to manage one’s thoughts and feelings in a healthy way. In other words, try to focus more on the positive and less on the negative. Negative thoughts and emotions can affect [...]

DPC Advocacy Day 2025: When Patients Lead, Policy Listens

2025-10-10T15:58:59-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Quality of Life, Resources, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Yolonda Brisbane, DPC Grassroots Manager From July 12–15, 2025, the nation’s capital was infused with a powerful sense of purpose and unity as Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) welcomed 36 extraordinary Patient Ambassadors—dialysis patients, transplant recipients, and family members of those living with or lost to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)—to Washington, D.C. for our Annual Congressional Advocacy Day. Our time together began with preparation and purpose. Patient Ambassadors entered a space of belonging that offered state-of-the-art meeting rooms and delicious kidney-friendly meals—nourishing both body and spirit. This setting became the heart of meaningful conversations, new friendships, and genuine camaraderie. [...]

From Flatline to Front Lines: A Dialysis Warrior’s Fight for Every Patient’s Future

2025-10-10T15:18:18-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Quality of Life, Support, The Kidney Citizen|

Arthur Hill, DPC Board Member “When Death Couldn't Stop Me, I Knew I Had Work to Do” When I first learned I had Goodpasture's disease – a rare condition that would forever change my life – I had no idea I was about to embark on a journey that would reveal depths of strength I never knew I possessed. September 2010 marked the beginning of what I now call my awakening. Despite feeling unwell, I pushed forward with determination, traveling to Mississippi for work. My body was sending me urgent signals, but I was too focused on my responsibilities [...]

Choosing Life: My Journey with Kidney Disease

2025-10-10T15:14:07-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Support, The Kidney Citizen|

Maria Robinson, DPC Board Member I’ve lived with kidney disease for most of my life. Nearly 30 years ago, I began my dialysis journey. Like so many patients, I was not fully prepared for such drastic change. I had to give up my dream job in order to take care of myself. I felt like I was losing the life I had worked so hard to build. Yet, over time, I realized that kidney failure was not the end of my life, but rather the beginning of a new one. It’s one filled with challenges, yes, but also filled [...]

Living Well with Kidney Disease

2025-10-10T14:57:01-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Immunizations, Lifestyle, Medication, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Velma Scantlebury MD, FACS, GCM, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant In the United States, there are over 35 million persons who have chronic kidney disease, which accounts for one in every seven adults. Unfortunately, many millions also have chronic kidney disease and are not aware of the diagnosis. However, having chronic kidney disease may mean having to alter some of your lifestyle habits to protect your kidney function, but many of us must make sacrifices to stay healthy: limiting fats and high calorie drinks, increasing vegetables and healthy greens, and engaging in regular physical activity. However, with hypertension [...]

Empowerment in My Voice

2025-10-10T14:28:38-04:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Quality of Life, The Kidney Citizen|

Quiana Bishop, DPC Board President When my father was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), our family stepped into unfamiliar territory. We didn't know what it meant, how to help, or even what questions to ask. We learned fast – but we learned through fear, frustration, and love. Today, I share our journey not just to honor him, but to help others avoid that helplessness and find hope sooner. My mother became the caregiver overnight. One minute she was his partner; the next, she was managing medications, appointments, and emotions that none of us had language for. The strength [...]

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 [...]

September is National Sepsis Awareness Month

2025-09-11T10:33:57-04:00September 11th, 2025|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

SEPSIS? What is sepsis? What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis? Is sepsis fatal? Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that can be fatal. Dialysis patients and all patients must be aware of the signs and symptoms and advise their medical providers immediately about their respective concerns. This is a serious matter and must never be taken lightly. The sooner it is identified, the better the outcome! The following article has been retrieved from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214 Overview Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, [...]

Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease News Update

2025-08-08T12:28:07-04:00August 8th, 2025|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

Are you anemic? What is anemia? Chronic kidney disease is a leading factor in anemia because when the kidneys are damaged, they cannot produce enough erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Iron deficiency and inflammation can also be other factors that can cause anemia.  Why is this news? Patients who have chronic kidney disease are often told that they are anemic but may not understand the term or the causes.  This article will help to explain the causes, symptoms and treatment for anemia. The following article is retrieved from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive [...]

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 [...]

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