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The first annual Gary Garippo Memorial Blood Drive and Organ Donor Awareness Event took place Saturday, January 7, 2023. The event was presented by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York's Community Service Committee and Blood and Organ Donor Committee, in cooperation with the Kidney Foundation of WNY and ConnectLife. This episode include an interview with living kidney donor Ed Draves, who helped organize the event, as well as clips from three people who spoke about the need for living kidney donors.  We also have a segment from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program on the progress towards artificial kidneys.  ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org. ... Find our social media accounts and more at https://linktr.ee/KidneyFoundWNY ... #DonateLife #KidneyDisease #KFWNY #LivingDonors

The U.S. organ donation system surpassed one million transplants as of September 9, 2022, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. As we recognize this milestone, the Kidney Foundation of Western New York wanted to take this opportunity to share information on trends in kidney transplantation.For more information, visit unos.org or LivingItForward.org. #OrganDonation #Kidney #LivingDonation #Transplant

The Inflation Reduction Act, recently approved by Congress and signed into law, includes provisions that will reduce prescription drug prices for people on Medicare. Starting in 2023, insulin copays will be capped at $35 per month for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The Kidney Foundation of Western New York joined Congressman Brian Higgins and representatives from AARP New York, the American Diabetes Association, and Erie County Medical Center to highlight the importance of this change. This podcast episode includes audio from the media event on Sept. 2.

Social media posts led Michelle Murray to consider becoming a living kidney donor to a stranger. She told the Kidney Foundation of Western New York that giving a kidney has been a tremendously rewarding experience. Michelle spoke highly of her care at Erie County Medical Center and has maintained her active lifestyle after her donation.  ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org.  ... Find our social media accounts and more at https://linktr.ee/KidneyFoundWNY  ... #DonateLife #KidneyDisease #KFWNY

March is Kidney Month! Listen for information on the National Kidney Month 2021 focus of “Managing Chronic Kidney Disease." There's more on the theme of "Living Well with Kidney Disease" for World Kidney Day, which falls on March 11 this year.  We also have a segment on the importance of kidney testing from the NIDDK's Healthy Moments program. ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org.

In college, Kris Hoyt learned that he had IgA nephropathy, which eventually caused his kidneys to fail. His uncle, John Canestaro chose to become a living kidney donor. Both are living healthy, full lives. In this episode, Kris shares his journey with kidney disease and transplantation. John explains how he became a living donor and why he hopes more people will consider giving a kidney.  ... Kidney Conversations is a podcast from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York. In each episode, we talk about kidney health and share stories to inspire and educate our community. Learn more at www.kfwny.org.

In January, the Kidney Foundation of Western New York joined Congressman Brian Higgins and leaders at Erie County Medical Center in calling for expanded Medicare coverage of anti-rejection medication for kidney transplant recipients. On Dec. 8, the House of Representatives passed the measure. Now patients, families and leaders of the kidney community are asking the Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation which will save lives. This episode looks at the current 36-month limit on coverage of immunosuppressive drugs and the reasons advocates want to make the change.

What's it like to receive a kidney transplant? Linda Snyder says it gave her life back to her. Linda lost kidney function due to an autoimmune disease. After several months on dialysis, she received a transplant at Erie County Medical Center. Now she works with the Kidney Foundation of Western New York to raise awareness of kidney health.

What's it like to donate a kidney? Chris Gengo shares his story of giving a kidney to his brother. Chris also talks about why he got involved with the Kidney Foundation of Western New York.