Kent's Kidney Stories

Kent talks to Jill Hammonds who has been living with FSGS for over 30 years. She was diagnosed at 14 years of age. She talks about her course of treatment and her transplants. One courageous and tough mother, wife, and kidney warrior. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode or would like more information about Kidney Solutions weekly Support Group, contact Kent at  kent...

Kent talks with a good friend and kidney warrior Jonathan Traylor in this AAKP one-year kidneyversary session. Jonathan talks about the importance of keeping in close touch with his care team and expresses his feelings about mentorship and support during his first year of transplant. Please Like and Subscribe all things Hope with Jonathan : Website Facebook Instagram Podcast YouTube  Click  here  ...

What does it take to be a living kidney donor? Listen to Kent's interview with Kathryn Robison a second-year Medical Student at Texas Tech. She has a frank conversation with Kent about giving her kidney to her older brother. Her open and gentle presentation allows you to understand how important living donation is. What it means to your family and to yourself. She discusses her take on the importa...

Brandi is celebrating her third kidneyversary and talks about being a PKD patient and her transplant. Her story is of interest because she is the only one in the family who has PKD. Click  here  for more information on the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).  If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more...

Bernadette Fordystek is stuck between a rock and a hard place. She is a CKD patient who has done just about everything she can to find a Living Donor. Kent and Bernadette's conversation centered on her difficulties finding a donor and the faith she has had to continue. Donors are very hard to come by and she reflects on her difficulties but stresses that she has a positive attitude and a faith in...

In this episode, Kent speaks with Kristen Hood, Director of Clinical Outreach for NephCure. She currently attending Bryan College of Health Sciences for her Doctorate in Nursing Education. Kristen's nursing background ranges from medical-surgical nursing, neonatal nursing, labor/delivery and postpartum, pediatrics, and school nursing. During today's conversation, Kristen shares her son Logan's jou...

Welcome back! Kent interviews Ed Hickey, Vice President of the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). Ed gives us valuable insight into the patient center focus at AAKP. Ed has been instrumental in dialogue with the Veterans Administration and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). He talks about his take on Veteran issues especially for those with kidney disease. Have to listen get in on...

Meet Nhan Pham, Life Coach at Kidney Solutions! Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nhan grew up in Moscow, Russia, before coming to the UK for her university studies. She's been in the UK since 2002 and is now based in London. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode or register to work with Nhan, contact Kent at kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more information on Kidney Solu...

We have a very special episode for you today. We are celebrating Kent Bressler's 34 year Kidney Transplant anniversary! Our Audio Engineer, Jason steps in front of the microphone and interviews Kent as he reflects on his transplant and the gift, his brother Kip blessed him with. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this special episode.  If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, c...

In this episode, Kent speaks with Amanda Grandinetti, a double transplant recipient who has battled Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) since she was in her teens. She is a doctoral candidate and has been in the kidney advocacy space for nearly her whole life. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more info...

Dr. Fouad T. Chebib, is a nephrologist, with Mayo Clinic. His clinical focus includes expertise in the management of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and its complications. Kent and Dr. Chebib discuss genetic testing in this episode. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more information on Kidney Solutions, visit...

Kent interviews Toni Martin a two-time kidney transplant recipient. Toni discusses her journey with kidney disease and touches on her role as an advocate. Another in a series of AAKP Kidney anniversaries. Click  here  for more information on the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).  If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidne...

Jason has what we call "grit". He has had two transplants in his lifetime. His kidney disease began at the age of 8. He was on dialysis for a long time before his second transplant. There is always hope for a transplant if you don't believe us listen to Jason's story. Kent has a great talk with Jason Hale If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.br...

Kent talks with Becky Ronkowski about her kidney transplant anniversary. Hear how she traveled through FSGS and transplant. She also talks about her spouse be her living donor. Click  here  for more information on the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).  If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more info...

Kent interviews a friend and co-founder of Square knot Health, Inc. Dr. Eliot Heher is from the Boston, Mass area. He is a transplant nephrologist with a penchant for wanting to see patients receive a transplant before they have to undergo dialysis. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at  kent.bressler@kidneysolutions.org For more information on Kidney...

Kent and AAKP celebrate Robert (Bob) Friedman's Kidneyversary. Bob is a very knowledgeable Kidney Warrior and imparts some valuable information about kidney transplant and kidney disease in general. A delight to listen to and thanks to Bob for coming on. Click here for more information on the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).  If you have questions regarding items discussed during th...

Welcome back! In today's episode, Kent has a conversation with the one and only. Lisa Baxter. She endured dialysis for 12 years until she received "the call." Listen in, as Lisa shares her story and shares some pearls of wisdom for all Kidney Warriors.  Don't forget to subscribe to the Lisa Baxter Show YouTube Channel . If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact K...

Kent has an open conversation with Peter Maag, PhD, the current Executive Chairman of the Board of CareDx. Mr. Maag has been instrumental in the growth of CareDx and shares the company's focus on pre and post-transplant care with an emphasis on data use and the human element of the transplant continuum of care. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at ke...

Charles Cranford worked for the Federal Government for just over 40 years and retired as the Director of the Eastern Management Development Center in Shepherdstown, WV. He is a native of Chicago and was transplanted 10 years ago at Johns Hopkins. His wife is a living donor and he's eternally grateful for her generosity and love. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode,...

Kent talks with Lana Schmidt on her kidney transplant anniversary. After being diagnosed with an uncommon disease called Goodpasture's Syndrome , she endured dialysis for 13 years. She received a kidney transplant using a specialized drug, Eculizumab (Soliris), because of her high antibodies. She has been a long time kidney advocate and is on the American Association of Kidney Patients Board of Di...

Kent has the privilege of interviewing world-renowned Chef, Oliver Hale. They talk about Oliver's journey to transplant and how he has combined his experience with kidney disease and transplant with his love for cooking. It is a story of success and perseverance. His son Jason was also in the mix to give his father a boost. Jason has received two transplants but our conversation is with his dad. J...

Welcome back! In today's episode, Kent has a conversation with  Ivey Dennen about her kidney/pancreas transplant. Ivey had been a type one diabetic for several years before her double organ transplant. Listen in, as Ivey shares how it came about and how she has progressed. You will be amazed. If you have questions regarding items discussed during this episode, contact Kent at kent.bressler@kidneys...

Welcome back! In today's episode, Kent speaks with Chelsea Roman. She shares her inspirational journey to kidney transplant. Chelsea has battled major health concerns with her kidneys since birth. She celebrated the one year anniversary of her kidney transplant in November of 2020. She also reflects on when she received the call for her transplant and what she does to show appreciation for this tr...

Welcome back! In today's episode, Kent speaks with our Audio Engineer/Producer, Jason Nunez. He endured Peritoneal Dialysis and a Right Foot Below-the-Knee Amputation before receiving the gift of life with a Kidney Transplant on 01/16/20. Kent and Jason have a great conversation about Jason's Kidney Journey, his return to full-time work after 4 years, testing positive for COVID-19, and much more!...

Welcome back! In today's episode, Kent speaks with AAKP's Ambassador, Curtis Warfield. He is a typical CKD patient with a great story about his journey to dialysis and transplant. Kent finds out that he has personal views about the need to be your own advocate. We join in celebrating Curtis' 5 year Kidney Transplant Anniversary!  If you or someone you know would like to be spotlighted on an episod...