Western PA Kidney Support Groups

Western PA Kidney Support Groups Featured in Post-Gazette

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Support groups a welcome part of kidney patients' new livesSunday, October 09, 2011By Sean D. Hamill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11282/1180836-51-0.stm

In the two months since he began dialysis after his kidneys began to fail, Michael Quinn thought there must be something wrong with him.The Sutersville man has experienced shortness of breath, severe cramping in his legs and generally feels "wiped out" after the sessions, which remove the waste from his blood three times a week, three hours a day.

"It's been a really bad experience," said Mr. Quinn, 56, a registered nurse.

Worse than that, his wife, Tina, said, he has felt depressed by it all because "he's felt like he was the only one" who went through it.

A neighbor pointed him to the Western Pennsylvania Kidney Support Groups, an organization that strives to bring together some of the more than 10,000 people in the region who are on dialysis, are kidney transplant recipients, living donors, or their caregivers, to talk about the common experiences they share.

"The idea is to tell our stories to each other," said Jack Silverstein, 64, a kidney transplant patient from Monroeville and one of the main organizers of the group. "It can be tough for other people to relate. Not everyone has been near death like we have."

From its origin over a decade ago, the group has evolved into five chapters -- Pittsburgh West, Pittsburgh East, Westmoreland County, South Hills and a pediatric group -- with nearly 300 members and a growing demand for more groups.

"We could start two or three new groups tomorrow if I could find some willing leaders," Mr. Silverstein said.

The group's most recently created chapter is in the South Hills, meeting once a month at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Jefferson Hills, about a 15-minute drive from the Quinns' home in Westmoreland County.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11282/1180836-51-0.stm

Valentine's Day

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:55:00 +0000

http://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/february12/valentinesDay.cfm

Donate Life Month 2011

Sun, 01 May 2011 11:21:00 +0000

http://www.wtae.com/video/27681713/detail.html

Jack Silverstein is featured in this news clip. Look for Mike Currin and Eileen Pistelli in the background!

Donate Life Month 2011

Sun, 01 May 2011 11:21:00 +0000

http://www.wtae.com/video/27681713/detail.html

Jack Silverstein is featured in this news clip. Look for Mike Currin and Eileen Pistelli in the background!

CONGRATULATIONS JACK!

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:54:00 +0000

WPA Kidney Support Group member Jack Silverstein was honored with the prestigious "Making Lives Better Award" at the 2010 National Kidney Foundation US Transplant Games in Madison, WI. There couldn't be a more deserving person than Jack who has made service to transplant-related causes his number one priority.

Please follow these links to read more about it.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_697457.html

http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/local-organ-recipient-honored-us-transplant-games

Overwhelming Response to Help Alan Checca

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Our own Alan Checca has made his voice heard, to call attention to the problems with getting necessary pre-transplant dental care. This story is ALL OVER the internet, and has been picked up by the wire services, as well as being posted on many private websites and blogs.

Al has done a great service to other patients who have similar barriers to transplantation. Well done, Al!!!!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/health/s_691282.html

Member Al Checca Shares His Plight

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:26:00 +0000

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries/s_690986.html

Lora and Robb featured in MORE online magazine

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:27:00 +0000

http://www.more.com/2027/10960-i-donated-my-kidney-to

Excellent Series in Pittsburgh Trib

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:23:00 +0000

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_646323.html

Survey Says-- Your Thoughts on World Kidney Day

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:59:00 +0000

WORLD KIDNEY DAY MEETING - SURVEY RESULTS (3/8/2009)

Did you find the March 8th 2009 meeting helpful?
Yes, very helpful and informative.
Very helpful.
Very interesting and helpful.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, interesting.
Very much so.
Yes.
Yes.
Very helpful resources.

What did you like best about the meeting? Or least?
I thought support meetings were just for transplant people, but I really enjoyed the meeting.
Insurance information best, NKF the least. Where is all the printed info Cherie talks about? Our group never got any!!!
I liked everything. The room was cramped and not enough air circulation.
NKF presentation best. Room was too stuffy.
The Nx Stage speaker and dialysis nurse were very impressive and knowledgeable. Nice to see the machine first hand.
The speakers were very informative. The room was very small.
Like Nx Stage presentation and KEEP screening. Dislike insurance stuff.
Best the various topics; least the room.
Room bigger.
Health insurance options.
Liked everything. Didn't like parking location - not near enough to meeting room.

What future topics would you like to see covered in future meetings?
Exercises we can do at home.
Social Security mainly SSD and SST, insurance benefits, diet and exercise.
Food - choices and nutrition. Exercise good and bad choices. Depression and how to deal with it. What if there is no home support?
Nutrition advice and weight loss.
Emotional/psychological/stress.
Exercise, emotional.
Any other topics concerning transplant, medications and dialysis.
Access for transportation for clinic patients.