Pennsylvania Healthcare Benefit Support Program
Offers healthcare benefits counseling and education
Great Information on the Organ Transplant process.
The National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.
Too many people trade life for a life of dialysis. At NxStage Kidney Care we want to change that. So we designed our centers to help you get back to the things you love. Instead of dictating a schedule, our staff helps you fit treatment into your life. And instead of making home dialysis training an afterthought, we make it a focus. Explore our site, http://www.nxstagekidneycare.com/locations/pittsburgh, then make an appointment to tour our center. Because life is too short to let dialysis define you!
CORE- Center for Organ Recovery & Education
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to deliver the gift of hope by coordinating the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs, tissues and corneas.
With integrity and compassion, our goal is to bridge the gap between donor families, health care providers and transplant recipients so that we may forever transform lives.
PA MEDI is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created PA MEDI to help citizens with Medicare understand their health insurance options so they can make informed decisions about which plan is best for them. The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging funds our local PA MEDI program.
Provides key transplant data on every US transplant center and essential information education about Kidney Transplantation.
Allegheny Health Network Kidney & Pancreas Transplant
Ranked the best in Western Pennsylvania for kidney transplant, according to CMA.
Established in 1981, UPMC has performed more than 17,500 transplants, including liver, kidney, pancreas, small bowel, liver/small bowel, heart, heart/lung, double-lung, single-lung, and multiple-organ transplants. A leader in transplantation, UPMC is dedicated to advancing basic science and clinically applied research. Above all, we are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care.
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
UNOS is the private, non-profit organization that manages the nation’s organ transplant system under contract with the federal government. In doing so, we bring together hundreds of transplant and organ procurement professionals and thousands of volunteers. This unique collaboration helps make life-saving organ transplants possible each day. Our system serves as the model for transplant systems around the world.
The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and to improve the lives of those it affects. We do this through promoting research, education, advocacy, support and awareness on a national level, along with direct services to local communities across the country. We are the largest private funder of PKD research. Over the last 30 years, we have invested more than $40 million in basic and clinical research, nephrology fellowships and scientific meetings with a simple goal: to discover and deliver treatments and a cure for PKD.
Local Leader: Nancy Kaminski
Email: pittsburghwalk@pkdcure.org
Additional Resources
AT-RISC Alliance- a unique collaborative effort between the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative, the International Transplant Nurses Society and the Transplant Recipients International Organization, is dedicated to reducing the incidence and severity of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients through educational and awareness efforts.
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American Kidney Fund- the nation’s leading non-profit working on behalf of the 31 million Americans with kidney disease. Their mission is to help people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives, and we fulfill that mission by providing a complete spectrum of programs and services: prevention activities, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 5 U.S. kidney patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.
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CaptionCall- (free installation if you have hearing problems) CaptionCall is the world's best captioning telephone designed to help people with hearing loss use the phone to stay socially connected with loved ones, conduct important business, and best of all, maintain confident communications for a longer, happier, healthier life.
DaVita- DaVita's website offers a wealth of information on dialysis treatment options, kidney disease education and an extensive library of kidney friendly recipes.
Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI)- the largest non-profit dialysis provider in the U.S. "The care of the patient is our reason for existence."
Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC)- DPC is working to improve the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. They are a non-profit, patient-led dialysis organization with membership open only to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and their families.
Donate Life Organ & Tissue Blog- This blog documents Donate Life's national endeavors in building awareness for organ and tissue donation and to encourage individuals to sign-up to be a donor. One will learn how they can make a difference and save lives in their home, school, workplace and community by inspiring others to become involved in eliminating deaths on the wait list and ultimately eliminating the wait list all together.
Fresenius Medical Care (FMC)- Fresenius Medical Care North America is a major provider of kidney dialysis services and renal care products. They provide products, dialysis care services, education and support for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), including treatment options for later stage CKD.
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)- Helps provide health resources for medically underserved populations and also works to build the health care workforce and maintains the National Health.
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Kidney Buzz- The United Network (America) Inc. developed and runs a World Wide Website called KidneyBuzz.com which seeks to teach those suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis Kidney Transplant, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives.
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Kidney Smart- The Kidney Smart CKD Education Program was developed, written, edited and produced by a multi-disciplinary team representing Medical Directors, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Licensed Social Workers, and many others who are passionate about CKD Education. In many cases, the content development teams' were personally touched by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and in one case, by kidney donation and transplant.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)- conducts and supports medical research and research training and disseminates science-based information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutritional disorders, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, to improve people’s health and quality of life.
PINE- Partners in Nephrology and Endocrinology- Partners in Nephrology and Endocrinology is the region?s most recognized and experienced nephrology and endocrinology group. The practice has been on the forefront of the treatment and management of kidney and endocrine diseases for more than 30 years.
Quality Insights Renal Network 4- Provides patient-focused services to the almost 18,000 beneficiaries in our Network, helping them navigate the system and take an active role in their care.
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Renal Support Network- Renal Support Network (RSN) is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Learn more about us and our Programs and Services.
Second Chance at Life- Second Chance at Life was founded in 2008 by Shelly Morell, and her mother, lung recipient Carol Mancini. Second Chance at Life is determined to provide financial assistance to transplant patients who are waiting for, receiving, or recovering from a transplant. We aim to fill a need for these services in Pennsylvania, and are supported by a board that includes dedicated individuals working together to improve the quality of life for transplant patients
The Shore Foundation- Sarah's Help for Organ Recipient Expenses The SHORE Foundation is a Non-Profit 501(c) 3 organization formulated to help organ recipient?s financial burdens following their new lease on life. The Foundation will dedicate time and money toward people who have been blessed with a life saving organ donation but find themselves unable to enjoy everyday life due to the strain of unending medical debt.