Thank you for being part of our Kidney Companions community. Here, we will keep you updated with what we have been doing, spread some good news, highlight the people within Kidney Companions, and share stories from a broader community.

Here’s an easy ask for you: go out and enjoy a drink!

Kidney Companions was named one of the 2023 Pour for More grant recipients.

There are breweries, coffee shops, pet shops, wineries, cideries and more included in the participating venues all around Traverse City: http://www.pourformore.org/participating-venues.html

Supporting the venues helps to support Kidney Companions and the other great organization 2023 Pour for More grant recipients. Win win.

We are also kicking off our Convos with Kidney Companions this Thursday, January 12 5-7pm at Silver Spruce. We would love to see you, and bring a friend!

And did you see Robert and his team’s story on the front page of The Traverse City Record Eagle Sunday, January 1? Thank you, Susan, Ernie, Chris, Ross, Jerry, and Stacy. YOU did that!!

How and why did you get involved with Kidney Companions?
I have worked in nephrology since 2010. During that time, I realized how many people are in this rural area, either completely alone or with very limited help. I learned about the program through two of the founders John Stanifer and Holly Hinds, who are both well-respected coworkers of mine. Joining Kidney Companions was a no-brainer for me, and it has given me an opportunity to build relationships with kind, hardworking, and independent people who need dependable friends. Many people with kidney disease need a few friends that they know they can count on in a time of need, and the least I can do is to be that person.

What has been the most surprising aspect so far as you have been volunteering with Kidney Companions?

How much work is involved with getting onto the kidney transplant list. When I first joined Kidney Companions, I knew it took time and a few medical appointments to get approved for a kidney transplant. It wasn't until I really saw how much work was involved with scheduling all of the appointments around a dialysis schedule and sometimes a work schedule, finding transportation to and from each of the appointments, and the preparation/paperwork involved that I truly was aware of what kind of commitment choosing transplant is for these individuals. It is a lot of extra work, and it requires organization and dedication to complete all of the tasks required to get the process started.

Why should someone volunteer with Kidney Companions?

Kidney Companions gives people the opportunity to interact with other volunteers from all different backgrounds who come to the table with a variety of different resources, abilities, and ideas. These individuals form a team and collaborate with the individual to fit their specific needs. It is truly awesome to see the collaboration between Kidney Companions.

Where/what would we find you doing on an average day in the life of Emily?

On an average day, you can currently find me at home studying, at clinical learning, or the hospital working. In my dream world, you would find me at the beach with my family.

What is the last book/show/movie/concert/event you experienced and enjoyed?

I don't have much downtime for TV or reading for fun at the moment. I have recently enjoyed taking walks and sledding with my two boys, ages 11 and 7.

Good news from UNOS who unanimously voted to approve a new policy directly addressing disparities facing Black kidney transplant candidates. The new policy means Black individuals awaiting kidney transplant will be eligible to receiving waiting time modifications, including increased waiting time adjustments. This move will be a positive step toward reducing some of the profound disparities faced by Black individuals living with kidney disease. The basis for this modification starts with a change that occurred in 2021 in how kidney function is estimated and staged. It became apparent that the formulas being used to estimate kidney function, which included race, age, and gender, were systematically over-estimating the kidney function of Black individuals; thus delaying care for chronic kidney disease or potentially downplaying the seriousness of the condition. Without question, this led to late or missed referrals, as many of the important benchmarks used by transplant centers are based directly on these estimates of kidney function. We applaud UNOS for making this change and recognizing the disadvantage that Black individuals had incurred due to this systematic disparity.