I was asked to present an award

The American Transplant Congress convention was the last 4 days in San Diego. I went down there on Saturday, got to meet two members of the other forum I admin for, Living Donors Online, one is a man who was an altruistic non-directed donor at 67 years old! The other was Jennifer Martin from the National Kidney Foundation, who I have "known" online for years, but never met in person. They were both great and it was really fun to have dinner with them. My main reason for attending the conference was because I was asked to present an award to Lori Hartwell at the National Kidney Registry Recognition Reception. Here are some photos and my speech.
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Karol Franks - National Kidney Registry – San Diego, CA - May 3, 2010

I want to thank Garet Hil for all he does for patients and donors, and for inviting me to participate by presenting the Patient Advocacy Award to Lori Hartwell.

But first, Lori, I’d like to tell them a little about you. Lori has been a kidney patient since age two and has experienced many years of dialysis, both peritoneal and hemo. She has had 3 kidney transplants, the last one of which has given her 20 years of freedom.

Often when a patient like Lori gets a transplant they hurry back to the business of living. Most are happy to leave the ordeal far behind. But Lori devoted herself to helping other patients. She founded the patient-run Renal Support Network that provides many programs: her nationwide Patient Lifestyle Meetings are well attended, and she does interviews for KidneyTalk, an online radio show heard all over the world. Her HOPE-LINE provides toll-free patient support, and she started weKAN, a patient-advocacy group working for positive kidney health care legislation. For the last 10 years Lori's annual Renal Teen Prom has provided a special evening for kidney teens that may miss normal teenage activities due to their disease.

I feel fortunate to have met Lori. In 2001 my 15-year-old daughter Jenna was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was sudden and unexpected so we began looking for a support group. Someone suggested I contact Lori, because she had been a teenage kidney patient, so I called and left a message. She called me right back and we spent an hour on the phone. I knew SHE knew what Jenna was facing, and she invited us to her free patient meeting the following week. It was a great introduction into the world of kidney disease. We learned about fistulas, renal diets and transplant waiting lists, UNOS, and living donors. We learned about hope.

Jenna was soon on dialysis, so I began researching transplant options. I wanted to donate my kidney so I joined Living Donors Online, a support group for living donors. Unfortunately it turned out that I was the wrong blood type. Other friends and family came forward, but no one was found suitable. We posted our story on Living Donors Online, and were contacted by potential donors from all over the world. As a result, eventually, we met an altruistic living donor, Patrice, which resulted in a successful transplant for my daughter, not far from here, at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla. Lori's encouragement to Jenna, and support for our family, inspired us to never give up.

Lori seems to know everyone in the kidney world. She writes articles and books, speaks all over the world, and is constantly thinking of creative ways to find solutions for patients, and then she makes them happen. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious. With courage and imagination, she has inspired many patients to help others as well.

Her OWN EXPERIENCE as a patient, her DETERMINATION, and her VISION make her the ideal patient advocate -- One kidney patient helping another.

For all of this I, and many others, owe Lori a great debt of gratitude. I am honored to present Lori Hartwell with the NATIONAL KIDNEY REGISTRY'S PATIENT ADVOCACY AWARD.
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Photos:
1. Lori and I
2. Lori and Garet Hil, founder of the National Kidney Registry