Dialysis Patient Citizens

Dialysis Patient Citizens empowers end-stage renal disease patients to take action to improve their quality of life. Join DPC to find a community of ESRD patients and make your voice heard. Visit dialysispatients.org to learn more.

Today’s the day! Join the DPC Education Center at 3:00 p.m. ET for a roundtable discussion on transplant sensitivity. Dr. Velma Scantlebury will explain how factors such as antibodies, a patient’s immune system, and previous transplants can affect transplant compatibility and the transplant process. The discussion will be moderated by DPC CEO Hrant Jamgochian. We’ll also hear from DPC Patient Ambassador Andre Daniels, a veteran and advocate, who will share his firsthand experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about transplant sensitivity and the factors that can shape a patient’s transplant journey. 🔗 Join the discussion this afternoon via Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/8301088461…

Today is Election Day, a reminder that having a voice in our communities and our government matters. But making a difference doesn't stop at the ballot box. Action is one of the best ways to create change. Whether you're voting, connecting with local and state policymakers, raising awareness about issues affecting dialysis patients, or sharing your personal story, there are many ways to make your voice heard. You don't have to travel to Washington, D.C., to make an impact. Advocacy starts right in your own community, and every effort to support the kidney community matters. 👉 Find ways to get involved: dialysispatients.org/get-inv… #DialysisPatientAdvocacy #KidneyCommunity

Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill! Join Dialysis Patient Citizens in Washington, D.C., May 10–11, 2027, for our annual Congressional Advocacy Day. This is an opportunity to share your personal experiences, connect with fellow patient advocates, and speak directly with lawmakers about policies that affect the kidney community. No prior advocacy experience is necessary, and we will provide training! Applications are open through November 20, 2026. Apply today to join this important event! Apply here: dialysispatients.org/webform…

Patient voices belong in the conversation about the future of dialysis care. In this letter to the editor, DPC senior patient ambassador Keith Plummer shares his dialysis experience and explains why Congress must strengthen Medicare to support access to innovative treatments and adequately funded dialysis care. Read his perspective on why the Kidney Care Access Protection Act matters for people living with kidney disease. Read Keith’s letter and learn more about the legislation: dialysispatients.org/news/co… #PatientVoices #KidneyAdvocacy #PassRESTOREAct #CareWithoutBarriers #KidneyCommunity

Your voice matters in decisions about your dialysis care. @UMich Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center is seeking input from people receiving dialysis to test a survey about patient satisfaction with the decision-making process surrounding their care. If you are 18 or older, currently receiving chronic dialysis in the United States, and can read English, you may be eligible to participate. The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes and can be completed online. Responses will remain confidential and will not be shared outside the University of Michigan study team. Your feedback can help assess how patients experience decision-making about their care. Learn more and participate: redcapproduction.umms.med.um…

Kidney disease can affect anyone—even infants. DPC Patient Ambassador Cole Cato began his battle with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at just six months old. After years of surgeries, dialysis, and challenges no child should have to face, Cole encountered another hurdle at age 26: navigating the transition off his parents’ private insurance and figuring out Medicare and Medicaid coverage. For more than 40 years, federal protections helped people with kidney failure access private insurance without discrimination based on their need for dialysis. A recent Supreme Court ruling has made protecting that access even more important. Cole is urging Congress to pass the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act (S. 1173 / H.R. 2199) to help protect access to stable, affordable private insurance for people living with kidney failure. In 2021, Cole received the gift of a kidney transplant, allowing him to regain a sense of normalcy. Today, he is a #husband, #father, and dedicated #advocate for the kidney community. Thousands of dialysis patients did not choose their disease, but they deserve the ability to choose the coverage that best meets their needs. Join Cole and DPC in urging Congress to pass the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act and help safeguard insurance coverage and access to care for people living with kidney failure. #KidneyAdvocacy #AdvocacyInAction #PatientAdvocacy #PassTheFixin26 #PassRESTOREAct #CareWithoutBarriers youtube.com/watch?v=Dt8Kg9sM…

Last week, DPC CEO Hrant Jamgochian attended ASN’s Kidney Week 2026 in Denver, Colorado.  He met with numerous kidney community leaders to discuss potential collaboration opportunities and how we can work together to advance DPC’s mission of improving patient quality of life. One of those meetings was with Hansa Biopharma’s U.S. President, Maria Törnsén.  They developed a new therapy that reduces antibodies in dialysis patients, which will reduce their sensitivity to transplant.  This treatment is already available in Europe, and Hansa hopes to have FDA approval later this year.  They want to make it easier for dialysis patients who have received multiple transfusions to treat anemia to receive a transplant.

Ready to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill? Join Dialysis Patient Citizens in Washington, D.C., May 10–11, 2027, for our annual Congressional Advocacy Day! With training provided, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences, connect with fellow advocates, and help shape policies that impact the kidney community. Applications are open through November 20, 2026. Apply today! dialysispatients.org/webform…

Thank you to state legislator Jennifer O’Mara for visiting a newly opened dialysis clinic in Pennsylvania! Visits like these give lawmakers a chance to hear directly from people affected by kidney disease and better understand the need for continued investment in dialysis care and education. 💙 #KidneyAdvocacy #DialysisCare

Your voice can make a difference, right in your own community. While DPC’s annual Advocacy Day fly-in to Washington, D.C. offers an opportunity to meet with lawmakers and advocate for dialysis patients, it’s not the only way to make an impact. If you can't join us in Washington, D.C., you can still make a difference right in your own neck of the woods. Connect with local and state policymakers, share educational resources, raise awareness about issues affecting dialysis patients, and use your personal story to help others better understand the challenges facing the kidney community. Advocacy can happen anywhere, and every effort to be heard matters. 👉 Find ways to get involved: dialysispatients.org/get-inv… #DialysisPatientAdvocacy #KidneyCommunity

Ready to advocate for kidney patients? Join DPC in Washington, D.C. for our 2027 Congressional Advocacy Day, May 10-11. Training provided, voices amplified, change made. Applications are open until November 20, 2026. Apply now!   dialysispatients.org/webform…

It’s National Dialysis Technician Recognition Week! 💙 This week, we’re celebrating the dialysis technicians whose skill, dedication, and compassion make kidney care possible. Thank you for the important role you play in supporting patients and keeping treatments safe! 💬 Give a shoutout in the comments to a dialysis technician who makes a difference! #DialysisTechnicians #KidneyCare #DialysisTechnicianRecognitionWeek

Kidney patients deserve better than to be written off. DPC Patient Ambassador Tracey Ann Bruen is calling on Congress to invest in the future of #kidneycare by supporting the bipartisan Kidney Care Access Protection Act (KCAPA) — S. 2730 / H.R. 6214. This legislation would help improve care for #dialysis patients, expand access to innovative therapies, address workforce challenges, and support continued access to the care patients and caregivers depend on. Investing in innovation is essential. The #kidney community is ready to advocate for a better future, and patients deserve leaders who will stand alongside them. 🎥 Hear Tracey’s message and learn why KCAPA matters. youtu.be/QWsrj3OCWS0?si=olcZ…

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re celebrating the strength, pride, and lived experiences of Hispanic and Latino voices in the kidney community. DPC Board Member Adrian Miller was raised by his mother, father, and grandparents in a proud Chicano family, who taught him to embrace his identity and never believe he was less than anyone else because of his background or heritage. That foundation of pride, resilience, and determination has helped shape Adrian’s outlook on life, including his journey with kidney disease. His story reminds us that our roots can give us the strength to overcome challenges and advocate for equal access and opportunities. Join us in celebrating Adrian’s story and the importance of representation in the kidney community! #HispanicHeritageMonth #KidneyHealth #HispanicHealth #KidneyDisease

Today, DPC remembers and honors the life and legacy of Dori Schatell, a passionate advocate for patient empowerment and a dedicated leader in the kidney community. For decades, Dori worked to improve the lives of people with kidney disease, championing patient education, informed decision-making, and a better quality of life. Her dedication made a lasting impact on the kidney community, and we are deeply grateful for her contributions. Our thoughts are with Dori’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. 💙 To learn more about Dori’s remarkable career and the impact she made, visit the Medical Education Institute’s website. A memorial service will also be held later this week, with an opportunity to attend via Zoom. Visit the link below for more information. 🔗mei.org/remembering-dori-sch…

Meet DPC Patient Ambassador Cassie Bertwell from Lincoln, Nebraska. 💙 At just 25, Cassie was diagnosed with renal failure caused by systemic #lupus. She was pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, starting #dialysis, and facing the possibility of losing her health insurance—all while fighting for her life. After 14 months on dialysis, Cassie received a kidney transplant from her brother. Today, she’s nine years post-transplant and the proud mom of a healthy 6-year-old daughter, born on her third transplant anniversary. Cassie is now speaking out about the importance of protecting dialysis patients’ access to private insurance and urging the Nebraska congressional delegation to support the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. Feeling inspired to make a difference? Join advocates like Cassie and help ensure #dialysispatients' voices are heard. 👉 To learn more about our Patient Ambassador Program and how you can get involved, visit our website. dialysispatients.org/get-inv…

Patient Ambassador Pesh Patel is using his voice to advocate for dialysis patients and bring attention to legislation that could help protect access to health coverage. In his letter, Pesh shares his perspective and helps raise awareness of the challenges dialysis patients face. Read Pesh’s letter and learn more about the legislation: dialysispatients.org/news/le… #PatientVoices #KidneyAdvocacy #PassRESTOREAct #CareWithoutBarriers #KidneyCommunity

Your voice can make a difference in your local community! 💙 There are many ways to get involved with the dialysis community. Order materials to share with patients, families, and others in your community. Write a blog to share your personal story and help others feel less alone. Get involved in advocacy and help raise awareness about issues that matter to dialysis patients. Every voice and every story can help build a stronger, more informed community. 👉 Find ways to get involved: dialysispatients.org/get-inv…