VidaFuel CEO Bette Parolini and her team envisioned how the gratifying experience of snacking equals the importance of nutrition. The result is delicious! VidaFuel™s innovative snacks for the renal diet include both sweet and savory options. Products also include tasty protein drinks. Things are just getting started, so expect more treats and flavors soon. If you are on dialysis and love chocolate or potato chips, or need a tasty p...

Wendy Rodgers, M.Ed, MPH, and RSN Chairman of the Board, is a kidney transplant recipient and lupus survivor. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that assaults healthy tissues and organs. Males are less likely to develop the disease, but they often experience more severe symptoms. And symptoms may vary because lupus can affect different parts of the body. Listen in to learn about the symptoms and the causes of lupus, and the tre...

Do you know the difference between a bacterial infection and a virus? Are you aware of the different symptoms of each one? And do you know when an illness is contagious? These are important distinctions that determine the precautions anyone should take to avoid contracting an illness or passing it along to others. Listen in as Michael Kraus, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Fresenius Kidney Care and Lori Hartwell discuss the ...

John Butler, President and CEO of Akebia, has been involved in the field of kidney health since 1991, and has seen many innovations. He is also the elected Chair of Kidney Care Partners, the largest kidney care coalition in the nation comprised of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers, researchers, and manufacturers. John feels a personal connection to the kidney community. His purpose-driven mission is to bette...

How has Covid-19 affected organ procurement organizations (OPOs)? Are kidney transplantations and donations still taking place? Today, Lori talks with Kristine Neal, Director of Communications for South Carolinas OPO, We Are Sharing Hope SC. Listen in to this show to learn how the pandemic has altered the experiences of transplant recipients and prospective donors, and learn what OPOs are doing to help ensure the Gift of Life conti...

It is a given that anyone with a weakened immune system is more vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus than the general public. If you are waiting for a kidney transplant, or have had one, you will want to listen to this informative podcast. Lori, and transplant nephrologist Dr. Rafael Villicana, Medical Director of the Loma Linda Transplant Center, have a candid conversation on what you can expect and do to protect yourself during the C...

In this time of Covid-19, healthcare professionals are very stressed, and both staff and people who require dialysis care need to be supportive of one another. To increase the supply of comfort and empathy, the executive committee of the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients is working to get the right words to dialysis clinic personnel. Listen in to this show to learn coping mechanisms at this critical juncture to help ...

Tim Atkins grew up with kidney disease. His 41 years on dialysis has not stopped Tim from visualizing his dreams and passionately pursuing them. His adventurous lifestyle, while on home dialysis, has taken him to many places. While enjoying a career in broadcast radio, Tim lived in the Virgin Islands and traveled across the U.S. in an RV with his dialysis machine in tow. Listen in to hear why home hemodialysis works so well for Tim...

People who need dialysis often spend so much time at a clinic that they, and the staff, view each other as friends instead of maintaining a professional relationship. Eileen Rhodes, Patient Services Director at the ESRD Network 18, shares why this can lead to crossing important boundaries. Maintaining a high level of care requires everyone to stay on the same page and understand the boundaries of a patient/staff relationship. Lori ...