GLENDALE, Calif., October 7, 2022 – Renal Support Network (RSN) will host its 29th Annual Patient Education and Lifestyle Meeting October 18–22, 2022. For almost three decades, RSN has hosted this educational event for people living with kidney disease as well as those who help care for them who want to learn more about navigating care. After the notable success of the virtual meetings, RSN will continue this five-day virtual event.
Each day, the focus will be on a specific stage or aspect of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Every discussion aims to encourage attendees to live and thrive despite kidney disease. This event gives them the tools to do so. A carefully curated lineup of healthcare professionals, patients, special guests, and others in the kidney community will speak on topics such as innovations in kidney care, progress in transplantation, helpful diet and exercise tips, understanding how to preserve your kidney function, what is involved with donating a kidney, and more.
Lori Hartwell, RSN president and founder, says, “Having survived and thrived with this illness since age 2, I know the importance of my peers having the knowledge and tools to navigate their own care to succeed. An illness is too demanding when you don’t have hope. Every year we receive wonderful feedback from attendees who say the information and connections they gained at the meeting inspired them and changed their lives.”
One special presentation will feature a couple’s journey to and through transplant, by Lacey and Sam Trevino, Husband & Wife and Living Kidney Donor & Recipient. Madeleine Pahl, MD, FASN will discuss How to preserve your kidney function. Kristen Brunstein, DVM will talk about Pets and Kidney Disease. Transplant Nephrologist Rafael Villicana, MD will share What is Involved with Donating a Kidney and Stanley Jordan, MD will discuss Repairing Deceased Donor Kidneys. There will be a patient experience panel that will be all about body image and kidney care and tips for looking your best. A special day for youth who have kidney disease will feature a youth workshop and a youth patient experience panel.
The event is meant to be a source of education and inspiration for everyone. All attendees will come away with the knowledge of how to be their own health advocate. Special treats will include chair yoga, scavenger hunts, daily raffles and attendee interaction options.
The event is held at no charge to participants who register to attend. To see the full agenda, and to register, go to www.RSNhope.org.
RSN would like to thank its patient engagement mission sponsors: Akebia Therapeutics, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Fresenius Kidney Care, Talaris, U.S. Renal Care and Vifor.
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Renal Support Network (RSN) is a nonprofit patient organization that was founded in 1993 by Lori Hartwell, a kidney disease survivor since 1968.
RSN strives to help those who are newly diagnosed with CKD or on dialysis, as well as kidney transplant recipients. RSN’s goal is to empower people who have kidney disease to become knowledgeable about their illness, proactive in their care, hopeful about their future and make friendships that last a lifetime.
Hartwell suffered kidney failure at the age of two, survived 50+ surgeries and 13 years of dialysis, and is now living with her fourth kidney transplant. She knows from firsthand experience the difficulty of navigating the myriad of emotions and the importance of being engaged in your care. www.RSNhope.org
