News & Events
Discover new information and educational offerings that we provide. Explore our newsletters, blogs and upcoming webinars/conference calls.
Contents:
Remembering Christina Esposito
Dialysis Patient Citizens and the DPC Education Center are saddened to learn of the passing of board member Christina Esposito, 37. Christina was a tremendous advocate for ESRD patients across the country and especially in her home state of New York. She had four kidney transplants over the course of her young life which lasted a total of approximately nine years. For about another twenty-five years prior to, sometimes during, and post failed kidney transplants she dialyzed. Christina experienced and mastered every modality ranging from in hospital Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), to Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) at home, to Hemodialysis in hospital and then in center, to Home Conventional Dialysis, to Nocturnal Hemodialysis, to Self-Care [...]
The Kidney Citizen Issue 6
Get tips on going gluten free on dialysis, read more about the importance of charitable assistance and how to cope with waiting on the transplant list.
Summertime S’mores
Nothing is more iconic of summertime and family time then s’mores. "But," you say, "s’mores have…shhhh [whisper] chocolate." No worries here though! Chocolate never shows up on the “Do Have” renal diet list, due to its high phos content. A classic s’more with two graham crackers, 1/2 bar chocolate, and one large marshmallow has 97 mg phosphorus, 128 mg potassium, and 151 mg sodium. This does not mean that s’mores are out though. Non-chocolate s’mores are fancy, trendy, and super yummy. We experimented with 3 different non-chocolate s’more variations to keep the dietary phosphorus at bay: Butterscotch Chip S'more, Lemon Curd S'More and Cookie Butter S'more. Butterscotch Chip S'mores Cookie Butter [...]
Researchers Think They’ve Found the Cause of Organ Rejection
Receiving a kidney transplant is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, wait times to receive a transplant can be long, and the cost of medication to maintain the transplant is very high. Transplanted organs typically last around 10 years, if taken care of well. However, researchers at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh may have found the answer to prevent organ rejection. Fadi Lakkis, the scientific director at the transplantation institute, believed ideally, an organ transplant would last the rest of the patient’s life. Not only this, but the drugs that suppress the immune system, which are necessary to keep the transplant healthy, increase the risk of [...]
Pressed Vegetarian Picnic Sandwich
Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 40 mins Serves: 4 SERVINGS Ingredients Sandwich 2-9" French baquettes 1 cup green beans, trimmed ½ c roasted red pepper, sliced (can by packed in vinegar or make your own in oven) 1 medium eggplant, sliced into disks 1 Tbsp low sodium black olives (~5) 3 eggs, hard boiled and sliced Tapenade (can also use store bought tapenade) 1 Tbsp calamata olives (~ 5) 1 Tbsp black olives, low sodium 1 Tbsp green olives, low sodium if available Vinaigrette ¼ c Olive Oil 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, coarsely chopped 1 Tbsp Fresh Basil 1½ tsp Shallots, coarsely chopped ½ tsp Sugar ½ tsp Dijon Mustard [...]
DASH Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Gout
Gout is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints and other tissues. Over time, these crystals can lead to painful attacks of gout, typically beginning in the big toe. The relationship between gout and kidney disease is two-fold, those with gout are 83% more likely to have kidney disease and those who have kidney disease are more likely to suffer from gout. Since the kidneys typically process uric acid, those with decreased kidney function will have a more difficult time eliminating excess uric acid. Typical treatment of gout includes taking uric acid-lowering medications, however many of these medications may be harmful to the kidneys. Because of this, those with decreased kidney [...]
A Tomato Free Cinco de Mayo!
What is Cinco de Mayo without a little bit of chips and salsa? “But, I can’t have tomatoes!” you say. And that is where this magnificent creation comes in, because you "can have" chips and salsa even without tomatoes! This wonderful low potassium recipe will make you forget that tomatoes ever existed in pico de gallo. This recipe is sans-tomatoes. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Even better, it is low in sodium! It pulls its flavor from fresh lime juice and cilantro and little bit of crunch from some fresh jicama. Paired with a low sodium corn chip you don't even notice the tomatoes aren't there, nor will you miss them. RED PEPPER PICO DE GALLO Author: [...]
Next Education Seminar: Depression and Kidney Disease
Life with a chronic illness can be a bumpy road with many hurdles to navigate along the way. Emotional ups and downs due to stress are common among people undergoing dialysis treatments. If you find yourself experiencing issues of depression, anxiety, fear and anger, you are having a normal reaction to stressful circumstances. And you are not alone in this. Yet, despite being surrounded by other people, a sense of isolation may arise. There are ways to address these normal feelings. This webinar will present some guidelines for coping with the array of emotions common to life with dialysis and chronic illness. You also will learn positive ways to manage the stress associated with a [...]
Additional Factors Play Part in Kidney Transplant Success
The process of receiving a kidney transplant is rooted in finding a compatible donor, whether living or deceased. Compatibility is determined by both blood type and the matching of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). HLA’s are what stimulate the production of antibodies, which are produced by the immune system in response to a foreign body. HLA make-up is inherited from your parents, which typically makes immediate family members the best match for donation. However, it is possible for individuals to develop sensitivities to HLA antigens because of pregnancies, blood transfusions or viral/bacterial infections. These sensitivities are also tested to determine overall compatibility of the donation. What other factors can determine transplant success? A recent study suggests [...]
National Minority Health Month
There are many aspects that impact your overall health and wellbeing. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices are among the most common determinants of your health. Given this, why are certain populations more susceptible to certain conditions than others? What other factors are at play to impact minority populations more than Caucasian populations? National Minority Health Month seeks to answer these questions while raising awareness of the widespread health disparities among populations. National Minority Health Month is an initiative of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH). This year, the theme is “Bridging Health Equity Across Communities” in an effort to spread awareness about the social determinants of health—environmental, social and economic conditions. [...]
Kidney Friendly Deviled Eggs Just in Time for Easter!
Boiled eggs are no stranger in our fridge with Easter this month. What better way to enjoy all those boiled eggs then whipping up some simple deviled eggs to snack on! Don't just stop at a simple deviled egg either. Deviled eggs are simple enough, so you can add all sorts of dynamic flavors to fit your fancy. We tried three new flavors for our deviled eggs: smoked paprika, curry, and fresh garden herb. All of them were fantastic, although all very very different one from another. Alternatively, you could use any of these same seasoning to make a delicious egg salad. We give this simple, familiar recipe two thumbs up for making a boring [...]
Education Seminar: [RUSH]ED Living With Dialysis
Touring with Pitbull while on dialysis? David Rush didn't let his diagnosis stop him! David Rush is a platinum selling recording artist signed to Pitbull's label, Mr.305 inc. As a patient in center, home, transplant recipient and back to home David Rush truly knows what it means to live life while on Dialysis. As a Nxstage patient David took his machine on a 40 city world tour in 2009 with Pitbull as an opening act. In present-day David Rush is now married with two children after a successful transplant in November 2010 that was given to him by his brother. David went back to Home Hemodialysis in January 2017 when his transplant failed. He works [...]
The Kidney Citizen Issue 5
Get a primer on the new healthcare landscape, the benefits of music and healing and tips on traveling while on dialysis!
