KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Jessica Nagro, Director of Public Affairs at Dialysis Patient Citizens, joins Lori Hartwell to explain how the new law will affect people with chronic kidney disease. Specifically, health insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against people because of pre-existing conditions, nor will they be able to place lifetime caps on policies. This interview will explain how the new system is going to work and how you can help ensure better care for everyone.

Do you enjoy making things, coming up with new ideas and just trying them out? Myra Schwartz started making jewelry when she started dealing with CKD (21 years ago) and re-discovered a shoe box she had full of beads and supplies. When you're chronically ill, you have little control over your health, and making or designing something can give you a sense of control, it can also be meditative and calming. Listen to this show and be inspired to cut, glue, shape, paint, collect, string or bend something into a creation of your own.

So what's different about people with kidney disease? Why would they have a special gift list? Lori talked to a few people who have CKD about gift ideas that are sure to make their life better. People who have a chronic illness have extra issues to deal with and if you are looking for a perfect present for a friend or loved one, tune in and listen to this show. Perhaps you will want to be a Secret Santa.

What happens when a US Veteran has kidney disease? What is the VA experience like? Lori interviews Maurice Taylor, US Marine Corp Veteran, who discovered he couldn't get a kidney transplant in California due to being HIV positive. Listen to this hopeful show and follow his story from diagnoses to getting a successful transplant in Iowa.

Fixing Paco, a new award winning webseries will be released in the Fall of 2012. Lori interviewed Nicole Pinkerton, Director of Development & Education of the National Institute of Transplantation about this exciting project, soon to hit the web. Fixing Paco is the story of the Fuentes Family's journey through kidney disease and ultimately kidney transplantation. The series, which will be in English and Spanish, to help educate the public about kidney disease and the road to transplant, stars actor Paul Rodriguez as "Paco", Soledad St. Hilaire as the fiery Tia Julia and Ingrid Oliu as her downtrodden daughter; Alfredo Avila, Carolyn Wilson, Alejandro de Hoyos, Adrian Gonzalez and Latin pop sensation Christian Chavez of RBD round out the cast. Be sure to stay tuned to this "Soap Opera" (Telenovela) comedy.

Taking care of your skin and checking for skin cancer is very important to staying healthy. Dr. Tony Nakhla, renowned dermatologist, also known as "America's Dermatologist", talks to Lori about skin care basics and how to identify potential cancer. In this interview, learn about what type of SPF you should use and how to protect yourself to stay happy and skin-healthy.

Fabry Disease, something you may not have heard of, is a genetic inherited disorder that affects the kidneys, heart and brain. Fabry disease is caused by the lack of or a faulty enzyme needed to metabolize lipids, fat-like substances that include oils, waxes, and fatty acids. Lori interviews Dr. David G. Warnock, leading nephrologist and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to spread awareness of this disease and to learn about some of the symptoms. Dr. Warnock emphasizes the importance of being your own advocate and in this interview explains what it's all about.

PKD is a hereditary disease that affects millions of Americans and families. There's really no treatment for it. People have to wait until their kidneys fail and then go on dialysis or get a transplant. Gary Godsey, the CEO of the PKD Foundation, provides an overview of what the PKD Foundation is doing to help find a cure and some form of treatment. For those of you who have PKD or who have a loved one with the disease, don't miss this informative interview. There's hope on the horizon. Learn what you can do to help.

Drew Thomas hasn't had it easy; for the past 19 years, he's had to rely on dialysis to live, but through all of it he's managed to work full-time and live his life to the fullest. He shares with Lori Hartwell what he thinks are the three key components of staying healthy and why he decided to write a booklet to help others who are having a hard time managing dialysis. His storytelling style will inspire you to take action.

Preparing renal-friendly meals can be challenging when you don't have the energy to shop or cook. Dee Sandquist, RD, describes a new mail-order meal service for people who are on dialysis and need diabetic or heart-healthy choices. Mom's Meals has over 35 renal-friendly selections to choose from and uses FedEx to ship across the country. Listen to this informative interview on what types of meals are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Movies are a great way to past the time during dialysis, reduce stress by laughing or spend some time with good friends. Lori & Stephen discuss their favorite movie picks for the summer and critique each other favorites. If you are a movie buff, you won't want to miss this show. See if you agree or disagree.

Rachel Schreibman decided to become an Art Therapist for people on dialysis after she received a kidney transplant from her identical twin and was able to avoid dialysis. She learned how many people were on dialysis due to the long wait list for a kidney and wanted to help them with activities during their treatments. Art therapy has shown to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals. Rachel will share some of the creative projects she has done with patients and what she has learned.

Scott Gunter, LCSW wants dialysis patients to know that there are financial assistance programs to obtain medication they could not otherwise afford. Medication adherence is crucial to have good outcomes with your labs, especially when it comes to phosphate binders. Listen to the steps you can take to find out how you could possibly qualify for assistance.

Ron Pisoni, PhD, and Doug Fuller explain Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). DOPPS is a prospective cohort study of hemodialysis practices based on the collection of observational data of a random sample of patients from 12 countries. The study seeks to determine which dialysis practices are associated with the best patient outcomes. The primary goal is to improve patient longevity and quality of life. Learn how these studies can help you as a patient.

Gloria-Ann Jeff-Moore has written a book "My Twenty Year Journey with PKD in The Dialysis World". She shares her positive attitude, and a few meal preparation ideas to show other patients they can live a long, happy life on dialysis.

It has been a health roller coaster ride for Lori over her 43 years of living with kidney disease. Lori shares with Stephen her gratitude for receiving her fourth kidney transplant in February of 2011 from her step-sister Cyndi. She never thought that the 4th kidney could be her best one ever. Listen as she shares her experience post-transplant, what her labs are and what she has learned along the ride.

Glen Ogle and his wife, who met while they were both on dialysis, are both long time chronic kidney disease survivors and were looking for a way to organize and track their medical information. Glen created an App called "My BloodWorks", that allows you to list all of your medications, track your lab work and appointments. Glen explains this App to Stephen & Lori that they can download on their smartphones and keep track of their records.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Do you know what your blood pressure should be? Do you know how to control it? Listen to this interview with Dr. James Wilson, Nephrologist, as he explains everything you need to know about blood pressure in a lively conversation with Lori and Stephen.

Lori has a conversation with Ellen Shukhman, Clinical Program Coordinator for a kidney living donor program in California. Ellen explains the step by step process that donors go through to donate a kidney. Who makes the first call? Who can donate? How long does the evaluation take? Who pays for the transplant? How long is the hospital stay for donors? What are some possible complications? What if you're not a match? Listen to this informative interview to learn about the ins and outs of living donation.

Over 113, 000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Help save lives by registering to be an organ and tissue donor. Donate Life America's new goal of reaching 20 million registered donors in 2012 is a campaign to help spread the word on the importance of being an organ and tissue donor. Listen to this informative interview with Tenaya Wallace, Campaign Director for Donate Life Hollywood and National Campaign Chair for Donate Life America "20 million in 2012". Learn more about how the organ procurement process works and break the myths surrounding deceased organ donation.