Risa Simon Received NKF Patient Engagement Award

April 15, 2018 by RisaSimon

Top 5 Reasons To Refer Transplant Early

Posted: November 16, 2024

According to Mayo Clinic, physicians should refer kidney patients for transplant when their GFR reaches 25 to ensure they are evaluated and listed in a timely fashion. The goal is get patients evaluated before their condition worsens, and ultimately avoid complications from dialysis that could effect transplant eligibility. (Excerpts taken from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/transplant-medicine/news/top-5-reasons-to-refer-a-patient-early-for-kidney-transplant/mac-20575082). Late Referrals: 1. … Read more…

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Who Can Be A Living Kidney Donor

Posted: July 27, 2024

Understanding Living Kidney Donation – How to Be One & How to Find One 1. Who can be a living kidney donor? Most people in good health can be considered for testing to see if they’d qualify to become a living kidney donor. The qualification process typically begins with a telephone screening that determines if … Read more…

Kidney Transplant Recipients Get New Protections!

Posted: October 31, 2023

New Kidney Transplant Recipient Protections! The National Kidney Registry (NKR) is now offering recipient protections in addition to their very generous donor protections that remove barriers to donation. NKR’s donor protections (Donor Shield) offers living kidney donors reimbursement for: Lost wages up to $2,000/week—for up to 6 weeks Travel and dependent care—up to $5,000 Complications … Read more…

Biden signs bill introducing more competition to US’ organ transplant network

Posted: October 6, 2023

On September 22, 2023, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill into law that overhauls our country’s organ transplant system by increasing competition among contractors—and paving the way for additional funding. The new law will “break up the current monopoly system” that for nearly four decades allowed a single private nonprofit to be the sole … Read more…

Let’s Cross The Finish Line—Once and For All!

Posted: June 18, 2023

Living Donor Protection Act (H.R. 2923 / S. 1384) After Five Attempts to Pass, Let’s Make This Year Our Last! When life gives you a 2nd chance, you want to make it count. I’ve been chipping away at this goal ever since I received my preemptive kidney transplant from an unrelated living kidney donor … Read more…

Transplant Equity—Backdating Waiting Times for Black Candidates

Posted: February 3, 2023

Black kidney transplant candidates who were disadvantaged by previous use of a race-inclusive eGFR calculation will receive waiting time CREDIT, because they should have qualified sooner. OPTN unanimously approves a process to improve transplant equity by backdating the waiting times of Black kidney transplant candidates who were disadvantaged by previous use of a race-inclusive calculation … Read more…

Five Most Common Mistakes Kidney Patients Make & How To Avoid Them!

Posted: April 21, 2022

Five Most Common Mistakes Kidney Patients Make & How to Avoid Them April 21, 2022, (Reprinted/Updated) Risa Simon Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve certainly made my share. I guess the upside of making a mistake is the powerful lesson that follows. Of course, the learning only “sinks in” when the memory of error lingers longer than the … Read more…

Racism in Kidney Care

Posted: September 26, 2021

A simple metric that uses a blood test, plus the patient’s age and sex and whether they’re Black or not makes Black patients appear to have healthier kidneys than non-Black patients, even when their blood measurements are identical. “It is as close to stereotyping a particular group of people as it can be,” said Rajnish Mehrotra, … Read more…

COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters & Precautions for Transplant Patients

Posted: September 4, 2021

While Covid-19 vaccine (3rd dose) boosters are now recommended for immunosuppressed patients—here’s the back story as to why this population finds itself more vulnerable Article From Science.org/news — 26 JUL 2021 Doctors recommend that organ transplant patients continue to take precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing even after they are fully vaccinated. … Read more…

Transplant Before Dialysis: It’s Time to Do More Good

Posted: September 3, 2021

These days, securing a kidney transplant—before dialysis, requires more luck than medical qualifications. It seems that the biggest barrier to transplant is not so much disqualifying health factors, as much as it is about knowing how to proactively secure a transplant before dialysis is required. To remove this barrier, physicians and patients must agree to … Read more…