The Wellness & Education Kidney Advocacy Network (weKAN), is a program of the Renal Support Network (RSN). Established in 2004, weKAN is an interconnected group of “patient activists” from across the country whose common goal is to ensure that people with CKD continue to receive quality care.

weKAN is unique in that it is structured to help patients help other patients understand vital issues from the patient perspective. We address a broad range of issues, such as renal replacement therapy options, life-enhancement issues, the availability of community resources, pending regulatory and legislative issues, the importance of medication and dietary adherence, and how best to provide emotional support to patients and their family members. Importantly, the weKAN members are part of a growing grass-roots effort of patients who are helping to ensure that legislators and agencies clearly hear the patient’s voice on issues that are vital to both our longevity and our quality of life.

Our efforts are helping increase awareness among legislators and medical professionals that patients want to be involved in their own care.