Renal Support Network

The Renal Support Network (RSN) is an American nonprofit, kidney patient-focused, kidney patient-run organization that works to benefit individuals affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). RSN's mission is to help patients develop their personal coping skills, special talents, and employability by educating and empowering them (and their family members) to take control of the course and management of the disease.[1]

RSN works to achieve their mission through their national patient meeting and regional patient lifestyle meetings and the RSN Patients Educating Patients & Professionals (PEPP) Patient Speakers Program. Information and education programs include the Kidney Times website and the KidneyTalk biweekly podcast. RSN sponsors Renal Teen Proms in Los Angeles and Washington DC.

A vital role of RSN is to provide lawmakers and policymakers with the patients’ perspective on the needs and capabilities of people with CKD. RSN does this through their Wellness & Education Kidney Advocacy Network (weKAN).

History

The Renal Support Network was founded in 1993 by Lori Hartwell[2] to instill health, happiness, and hope into the lives of those affected by CKD.

Meetings

The national meeting is a three-day conference held in conjunction with the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) annual meeting. Regional Patient Lifestyle meetings are free to attend.

Activities

The Wellness & Education Kidney Advocacy Network (weKAN) consists of CKD patient activists from across the country whose common goal is to ensure that people with CKD receive quality care.[3]

The PEPP Patient Speakers Program was initiated by RSN in 2005. Since then, there have been over 100 speaking engagements to more than 9800 listeners. These educational programs are led by CKD patient-speakers who have been professionally trained, tested and certified to deliver these programs at meetings of renal patients and healthcare professionals. PEPP speakers are available at no charge to organizations that meet the RSN criteria.[1]

"Kidney Times" is the organization's CKD information website; all articles are all written by people with CKD or health care professionals. A stipend is paid for articles published. "KidneyTalk" is a biweekly webcast hosted by Stephen Furst and Lori Hartwell.

Renal Teen Proms are free events are for teens ages 14 to 24 who have chronic kidney disease and a guest of their choice. Attendees are treated to dancing and limo rides, dinner and appetizers, glamor photos and a DJ.[4]

References
  1. Patients Helping Patients: The Renal Support Network Nephrology Nursing Journal, January 1, 2007
  2. "Convergence Keynote Speaker Lori Hartwell Passionate About Patients". www.raps.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  3. Renal Support Network Statement to the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health June 26, 2007
  4. Ventura County Star Archived 2008-05-24 at the Wayback Machine 2008 Renal Teen Prom coverage
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