Kidney Conversations

The Helping Equal Access to Registration for Transplant (HEART) Act is being considered by the New York State Assembly and Senate. The proposal would allow people waiting for an organ transplant to be listed at more than one transplant center in New York. Advocates of the change say it would shorten waiting times for transplant candidates, leading to more successful transplants and saving lives. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is sponsoring the proposal. She and transplant surgeon Dr. Liise Kayler spoke in Albany on the benefits of multi-listing.

In part 2 of this continuing miniseries with Jim Urtel of Batavia, NY, we'll talk about complications following his kidney transplant and why he's now hoping for a second transplant.

In this episode, we'll talk about kidney failure catching Jim Urtel by surprise and his experience with dialysis. In the next episode, we'll get into Jim's kidney transplant and some of the reasons his journey became more complicated than expected.

Paul Kupiec is well known in his hometown of North Tonawanda, but friends and neighbors might not be aware that he's awaiting a kidney transplant. After years of diabetes, Paul found himself in end stage renal disease. He's listed for transplant at Erie County Medical Center. #DonateLife #KidneyTransplant #AKidneyForKoop

When Katy Cooper planned the ribbon cutting for Coop's Red Caboose in Arcade, NY, she saw an opportunity to celebrate living kidney donation and help others. This episode also includes a word from Team Buffalo Captain Traci Krist about the Transplant Games of America, an update on the Living Donor Protection Act, and a segment from the NIDDK about lupus nephritis. #DonateLife #LivingKidneyDonation #Transplant

Melanie Motz learned about living kidney donation through a friend's family. When a Lake View, NY neighbor was in need, Melanie chose to become a donor, something she calls the best decision of her life. #DonateLifeMonth #DonateLife #LivingKidneyDonation

Tanesha Adams received a diagnosis of kidney disease in 2018 and had a kidney transplant at Erie County Medical Center in 2020. She shares her journey and lessons learned along the way, encouraging others to know about their health and treatment options. We also have a segment from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program about mental health and people with chronic illnesses. Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. #DonateLife #Kidney #Transplant

Diana Leising received a kidney transplant at Erie County Medical Center in April 2022. She was excited to receive a kidney transplant so she'd have the chance to see her youngest son graduate from high school. Diana's faith is important to her and helped to sustain her during her battle with kidney disease and her wait for a transplant. In this interview, Diana talks about her experiences and why a transplant was the right choice for her. We also have a segment from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program with advice on how to ask questions of your doctor. Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. #DonateLife #Kidney #Transplant

The first annual Gary Garippo Memorial Blood Drive and Organ Donor Awareness Event took place Saturday, January 7, 2023. The event was presented by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York's Community Service Committee and Blood and Organ Donor Committee, in cooperation with the Kidney Foundation of WNY and ConnectLife. This episode include an interview with living kidney donor Ed Draves, who helped organize the event, as well as clips from three people who spoke about the need for living kidney donors. We also have a segment from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program on the progress towards artificial kidneys. ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. ... Find our social media accounts and more at https://linktr.ee/KidneyFoundWNY ... #DonateLife #KidneyDisease #KFWNY #LivingDonors

The U.S. organ donation system surpassed one million transplants as of September 9, 2022, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. As we recognize this milestone, the Kidney Foundation of Western New York wanted to take this opportunity to share information on trends in kidney transplantation. For more information, visit unos.org or LivingItForward.org.  #OrganDonation #Kidney #LivingDonation #Transplant

The Inflation Reduction Act, recently approved by Congress and signed into law, includes provisions that will reduce prescription drug prices for people on Medicare. Starting in 2023, insulin copays will be capped at $35 per month for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The Kidney Foundation of Western New York joined Congressman Brian Higgins and representatives from AARP New York, the American Diabetes Association, and Erie County Medical Center to highlight the importance of this change. This podcast episode includes audio from the media event on Sept. 2. 

Social media posts led Michelle Murray to consider becoming a living kidney donor to a stranger. She told the Kidney Foundation of Western New York that giving a kidney has been a tremendously rewarding experience. Michelle spoke highly of her care at Erie County Medical Center and has maintained her active lifestyle after her donation.  ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org.  ... Find our social media accounts and more at https://linktr.ee/KidneyFoundWNY  ... #DonateLife #KidneyDisease #KFWNY

March is Kidney Month! Listen for information on the National Kidney Month 2021 focus of “Managing Chronic Kidney Disease." There's more on the theme of "Living Well with Kidney Disease" for World Kidney Day, which falls on March 11 this year.  We also have a segment on the importance of kidney testing from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program. ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. 

In college, Kris Hoyt learned that he had IgA nephropathy, which eventually caused his kidneys to fail. His uncle, John Canestaro chose to become a living kidney donor. Both are living healthy, full lives. In this episode, Kris shares his journey with kidney disease and transplantation. John explains how he became a living donor and why he hopes more people will consider giving a kidney.  ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. 

In January, the Kidney Foundation of Western New York joined Congressman Brian Higgins and leaders at Erie County Medical Center in calling for expanded Medicare coverage of anti-rejection medication for kidney transplant recipients. On Dec. 8, the House of Representatives passed the measure. Now patients, families and leaders of the kidney community are asking the Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation which will save lives. This episode looks at the current 36-month limit on coverage of immunosuppressive drugs and the reasons advocates want to make the change.

What's it like to receive a kidney transplant? Linda Snyder says it gave her life back to her. Linda lost kidney function due to an autoimmune disease. After several months on dialysis, she received a transplant at Erie County Medical Center. Now she works with the Kidney Foundation of Western New York to raise awareness of kidney health.

What's it like to donate a kidney? Chris Gengo shares his story of giving a kidney to his brother. Chris also talks about why he got involved with the Kidney Foundation of Western New York.