The Kidney TRUST has named Annette Eros as President and CEO. Prior to joining the TRUST, Annette had an extensive non-profit consulting practice assisting community organizations in strategic planning, governance, and development matters.

“We’re very pleased to have Annette take the helm as President & CEO of The Kidney TRUST and will be looking to her to build a vibrant organization that will play an important, ongoing role in the fight against kidney disease,” said Margaret Laws, chairperson of the TRUST’s board of directors. “The TRUST made great strides under the leadership of founding CEO Barbara Lawson and the board is confident that Annette will now take the TRUST to the next level.”

“More than 31 million Americans have CKD, but people around the country are just waking up to the full scope of the problem,” said Annette. “As a relatively new organization, the TRUST has a tremendous opportunity to address the gaps of knowledge and action that exist relating to kidney disease. My initial focus will be on identifying the areas where we can have the greatest impact as well as expanding and designing programs to address these unmet needs.”
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SHARE YOUR STORY

March was National Kidney Month and during this time the TRUST focused on reaching out to people affected by kidney disease to ask for their personal stories relating to this problem that affects 31 million Americans. In asking the public to contribute their own stories, the TRUST was requesting help with our mission of spreading the word about kidney disease and the importance of early detection and treatment.

The TRUST received many emails in response to this request and two of the people who came forward are featured below. We will continue to feature stories from our readers — please go to our homepage at www.KidneyTRUST.org and make just one click to share yours.

Angela Gordon of Memphis, Tennessee was diagnosed with high blood pressure and scarring of the kidneys when she was just 19 years old. Over the course of ten years her kidneys eventually failed and she began CAPD dialysis, which allowed her to continue working full-time.

After being on dialysis for almost four years, Angela received a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, her body rejected her donated kidney after two years and at age 36 she’s currently back on dialysis and on the waiting list for another transplant.

Despite these setbacks in her health, Angela maintains a very upbeat point of view. “I try to stay positive,” says Angela. “For me, a positive attitude is the key to everything.”

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Kidney disease can hit a family hard. Dave and Diane Keiser of Scottsdale, Arizona have a harrowing tale to tell about how kidney disease can strike without warning.

“Last June, after several weeks of fighting what we thought was the flu, my 41-year-old husband Dave was rushed to the hospital,” says Diane Keiser. “He was in end stage kidney failure, and almost died that day. He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and after 11 days in the hospital, started dialysis three days a week.”

Ironically, Dave had been tested for polycystic kidney disease when seven years old and told that he would never get it. Dave was unemployed and did not have health insurance at the time his kidneys failed and it was only with the help of family and friends (and much negotiating with the hospital) that the family was able to stay afloat. “Talk about having the rug pulled out from under you,” says Diane.
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