11/19/2008 - PKD: It Runs in the Family

RSN Uploads new KidneyTalk Show

Glendale, CA (November 18, 2008)-- With a family history of PKD—many of her family members have not made it past their 50th birthday—Linda Oakford made two life-affecting decisions in her early 20s which actually helped her meet her husband! Linda’s is a tale of courage, selflessness, and life strategy, an inspirational story that is the latest KidneyTalk show, just uploaded on the Renal Support Network web site, RSNhope.org.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD), whether living with kidney transplants or on dialysis, are often under many restrictions; so many, that guidelines and orders from doctors, dieticians, nurses, and dialysis technicians may become confused.  Kidney Talk explores one topic per program in depth through interviewing patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers about lifestyle and treatment issues.  It also offers infomercials about the importance of, for example, restricting potassium, or the need for the best dialysis access for highest quality of life and long life.

Oakford, who is the Patient Liaison at the Renal Support Network, said that it felt really good to talk about PKD so that others could hear that life can be very worthwhile in spite of chronic illness.  “Everyone chooses their own path,” she said, “and while some of my decisions have been very difficult, I have been blessed to have such wonderful support.”

Education, empowerment, and enthusiasm are key components to KidneyTalk. Nothing is off limits as the topics run the gamut from tips on dating (Dating with Kidney Disease: When Do You Tell?) to tips on eating renal-friendly food (Spicing Up Your Renal Diet and Holiday Eating Tips: Eat, Drink, and Be Careful) to stepping out of your comfort zone and traveling while on dialysis (Traveling Around the Globe: Adventures of a Hemodialysis Patient, Taking Dialysis on the Road). 

Leavened by the humor of actor/director/producer Stephen Furst, also a kidney patient, who created the role of the lovable freshman Flounder in “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” and Lori Hartwell, long-time kidney patient and founder/President of the Renal Support Network, KidneyTalk is pod cast bi-weekly on Tuesdays and is available at RSNhope.org and on iTunes.  All shows are archived for easy access and available 24/7.  



Streaming Health, Happiness, and Hope over the Internet twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, KidneyTalk is the brainchild of Lori Hartwell, a kidney survivor for over 38 years.

26 million Americans –1 in 7—have chronic kidney disease and 20 million more are at risk.  For the first time, the number of people waiting for a transplant has exceeded 100,000. Even those who are not diagnosed should learn the early warning signs of chronic kidney disease and can often take action to avoid it by asking their doctor for a simple blood test.  

 

Renal Support Network (RSN), a non-profit, patient-run organization, offers informative, often entertaining patient-directed programs that bring health, happiness and hope into the lives of others affected by chronic kidney disease, whether in its early stages, on dialysis or after a kidney transplant. Visit www.RSNhope.org for more information.

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