HemoDoc, From Doctor to Patient

Jack Black Reigns at the Renal Teen Prom 2012

by Peter Laird, MD

Lori Hartwell of the Renal Support Network continues her close relationship with Jack Black and the Renal Teen Prom one more time. Jack Black thrilled all in attendance with his outlandish antics dressed this time as a king. Most notably, Jack Black is reported to have skipped the Golden Globe awards ceremony to attend this charity event.

Jack Black Skips Golden Globes to attend special prom

"It's a prom for kids that have kidney disease, that have had a transplant and didn't get to have a prom of their own, cause they were having medical problems," Black said. "And it's a great night where kids get to meet other kids that have had the same situation, make friends and share their stories... and have a really good time. Lot of good times... dancin'... singin'... partyin'... you know prom."

Lori Hartwell continues to promote optimal renal care and goes beyond to give back to the children deprived of many basic social outlets due to their disease. For more information on the Renal Support Network teen prom is available on the RSN website. (here)

RSN Palmdale CA Patient Lifestyle Meeting

By Peter Laird, MD

Renal Support Network is sponsoring a patient lifestyle meeting in Palmdale CA and I am fortunate to have the honor to host this gathering at Embassy Suites on Sunday March 20th.  Dr. Phil Tuso, MD will present survival strategies in his talk titled Kidney Disease Life Plan.  Dr. Tuso is a recent recipient of the Spirit of Nephrology Award by the Southern California National Kidney Foundation for his work with a non-profit organization dedicated to improving nutrition in dialysis patients that he founded.

NxStage Medical will also present a detailed overview of renal replacement options for CKD-5 patients, but the meeting will highlight presentations by Marissa and Tom Carr, called A day in the Life of Kidney Patients Finding Romance while on Dialysis.

Lastly, I will present my own experiences and choices for home hemodialysis as a physician turned patient, not a role reversal that I had ever anticipated when I first began my career in medicine.

Renal Support Network is a non-profit, patient run organization started in 1993 by Lori Hartwell who is now recovering from a recent living donor renal transplant.  Her last renal transplant lasted over 20 years and it is our prayers that this graft shall last as long or longer.

RSN Renal Team Prom - 2011

By Peter Laird, MD

Lori Hartwell of RSN once again provided an evening of entertainment for renal teens in Southern California.  Not only did she bring the magic of Michael Grasso, a renal transplant patient in his own right, but a surprise return visit by last years guest host, Jack Black.

The Prom is the inspiration of Lori Hartwell, RSN's President and Founder, who missed her own prom because she spent al of her teenage years on dialysis. Teenagers with kidney disease miss large amounts of school because of prolonged absences due to health.  The prom brings these young people together to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes. I lets them know they are not alone and that one friend can make a difference.

 

Lori Hartwell Is Taller Than She Looks

By Peter Laird, MD

Lori Hartwell, founder and president of the Renal Support Network is adding another facet to her already busy day, writing a blog called: I'm Taller Than I look by Lori Hartwell. When I first met Lori nearly two years ago, my immediate impression was that she is simply a general in command of many forces included in the Renal Support Network such as WeKAN, a renal advocacy group lead by Kathe Lebeau,  KidneyTalk podcasts with co-star and renal patient Stephen Furst, KidneyTimes online renal related articles, the RSN Hopeline and several other helpful RSN related programs as well as several community and renal organizations.  Lori does all of this while at the same time dealing gracefully with her own long standing renal disease.  Of all the inspirational people that I have met in the renal advocacy circle, Lori always motivates me to do more simply by her example.

I'm Taller Than I look by Lori Hartwell

My whole life many people have underestimated my abilities due to having a severe chronic illness and being vertically challenged. My life has been a roller coaster of hope and fear and I have learned many lessons about life, love and fighting for your health and what you care about. An illness teaches you many lessons and allows you the opportunity to meet incredible compassionate giving people that help you on your journey. After over 40 surgeries, 12 years of dialysis and 3 kidney transplants (hopefully a 4th one as I had to return to dialysis after 20 years of a successful kidney transplant) being taller than I look is a state of mind. I founded the patient-led Renal Support Network in 1993 to instill “health, happiness, and hope” into the lives of fellow patients. I also authored the book called "Chronically Happy: Joyful Living in Spite of a Chronic Illness." Learn more about my organization by visiting RSNhope.org.

I look forward to seeing more of Lori's unique insights into kidney disease through this new blog that will be a daily read for me as well.  Truly, Lori does stand tall.  My own nickname for her is simply, The General.