National Kidney Foundation Event

Wish List Letter

I am always so touched when people reach out to me about the work I do. I guess I fail to sometimes realize the impact of my work. I only want to help save lives. For me and my family that is what it is all about. It is our dream that no know suffers the pain and sorrow that we have. It's our promise, our passion, our family platform. Thank you all for always listening. Happy Fall!

Our New Facebook Platform Page

Hello everyone! Please visit and like our new facebook platform page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kidney-Care-Building-Hope-and-Saving-Lives/198166600242667

It's another fabulous resource to stay connected and updated about kidney disease education and awareness.

Thank you all and remember to love your kidneys!

Happy 22nd Wedding Anniversary To Us!

Donna and Michael Brown ~ August 5, 1989

Twenty two years ago on this very day I married my dream come true husband. I feel so lucky that my husband is also my friend. Michael knows me in a way that no one else does. We have a friendship that has grown and changed through the years just as our marriage has.

With Michael, I've found a once-in-a-lifetime friendship and a once-in-a-lifetime love. He is the friend I want, the husband I need, the reason I have so much to celebrate today.

Thank you Michael for loving me! Here's to us and the next twenty two years of bliss!

Mrs. International 2011

WOW! WOW! WOW! I am still beaming with joy from such an amazing week! 

A great big thank you to the Mrs. International 2011 Class for your beautiful friendships! I look forward to remaining connected with everyone!

Warm and gracious thanks to the entire Mrs. International Organization! Once again, first class all the way!

I am proud and humbled to have placed 2nd Runner Up two consecutive years in a row!

L - R

Cydney Miller ~ Mrs. Appalachians ~ 4th Runner Up , Donna Brown ~ Mrs. Southern States ~ 2nd Runner Up , Janet Bolin ~ Mrs. North Carolina ~ Mrs. International 2011 , Tiffany Ellison ~ Mrs. California ~ 1st Runner Up , Mary-Marsha Riley ~ Mrs. Tennessee ~ 3rd Runner Up

The Mrs. International 2011 Pageant Begins!

On Tuesday July 19, 2011 the Mrs. International Pageant kicks off it's week of pageantry and friendship! I am so excited to meet all of the 2011 ladies and the International Pageant family.

I would like to give gracious thanks to Shannon Devine ~ Mrs. International 2010 for her outstanding year of service. Shannon's platform is Building Families Through the Miracle of Adoption and she has done such amazing work as their Ambassador. Shannon, I wish you and your beautiful family continued Blessings.

Shannon Devine ~ Mrs. International 2010

As I prepare to depart for Chicago, I would like to thank my darling husband Michael and our beautiful children Ashley and Mikey for all their love and support. You are all that I am! I adore you all!

A great big shout out to all of my friends for their love and encouragement! Your friendship is truly a special gift!

To The National Kidney Foundation, thank you for your amazing support and recognition! I hope to make you proud! I look forward to our continued partnership and the day when no one suffers from the ravages of kidney disease.

Thank you everyone! Thank you dear Lord!

See you in Chicago!

Dialysis Saves Lives

Dialysis Patients Share Their Stories -

Watch as four dialysis patients, aged 9-70, talk about their experiences, including their fears at being diagnosed, their treatment rountines and the ultimate realization that they can still lead normal, productive lives.

National PKD Awarenes Week ~ June 19 -25, 2011

June 19 - 25, 2011 is National PKD Awareness Week. Time to get involved and spread the word about kidney disease awareness and education.

Kidney disease has become a global issue that needs to be stopped in it's track. One in every nine people have kidney disease and most don't even know it. Did you know that just by drinking more water you can lower your risk of kidney disease?

Your kidneys work hard for you so take good care of them and your kidneys will take good care of you!

Thank You Letter From Kidney Diet

Most of you by now know me and my dedication to expanding kidney disease education and awareness. It is a deep passion that is infused in me. It is my calling from God. When I receive letters like this, it is then that I know I am forever fighting back and giving knowledge that saves precious lives. Thank you Kidney Diet for all that you do!

Meet Evan Ranieri

Evan Ranieri

As a mother I have always said "Ask any mother her greatest fear and she will tell you it's for the safety of her children. It has been said that there is no other human bond comparable to that of a mother and child. I do believe it to be true.

Meet Evan Ranieri, born March 10, 2011. Evan was born with "small and echogenic" kidneys, which means his kidneys are half the size they should be. It also means that his kidney function is only 20% which is about the cut off for when dialysis is needed.

Can you imagine giving birth to your dream come true baby and you are told that he or she was in renal failure? I imagine it would be shocking and a bit unconceivable. And that is exactly how Melissa and Paul Ranieri felt. 

        Melissa, Paul, Big Sister Avery & Evan Ranieri

With much faith, prayer, love and support from family, friends and their powerful medical team the Ranieri family is fighting back. They are Godly people who believe in the power of prayer. They believe in their son Evan and they believe that God has a special plan for them and Evan. Maybe that plan is to share their journey with other kidney families in the kidney community.

Big Sister Avery takes extra special care of her baby brother Evan.

As for now Melissa and Paul are doing eveything possible to keep Evan healthy and keep him growing strong. Evan will have to be 22lbs before he could receive a kidney transplant. His parents Paul and Melissa would likely both be a match/donor.

Thank you Melissa, Paul, Avery and Evan for sharing your journey with us. Much love and prayer to you all for a long, happy healthy life.

God Bless.

The International Thespian Society

I am so very honored to be recognized by The International Thespian Society! 

I have always had the greatest respect for the arts in any form. Whether it be live theatre, dance, music or visual art, all of it intriques me.

I believe everyone should have a piece of the arts in their lives. Fine arts expand the boundaries of learning and encourage creative thinking and a deeper understanding of the core subjects, which are language arts, math, science, and social studies. Teaching the arts is the most powerful tool that teachers can present in their classrooms because it enables students to achieve their highest level of learning.

I am forever committed to giving of myself in anyway possible to the arts.

Great thanks to The International Thespian Society. It is my pleasure to serve you.

"Living With Kidney Dialysis ~ Adam Richard's Story"

Living With Kidney Dialysis

"At Last!

"The Secrets To A Great, Healthy And Fulfilling Life With Dialysis"

Let an inspirational, salt of the earth, black belted karate instructor, working himself to the bone as gardener, and dialysis veteran of 25 years, show you how to live an amazing life with dialysis just by following two simple principles.

Dear friends,

I want to share with you Adam Richard's kidney dialysis story. If you need to have dialysis and are struggling with having a normal life...you need to read this story.

In His Own Words...Here's Adam's Story

If you've been having dialysis you may think...what's so special about that...however, I know what a tremendous impact it has on the direction of your life. It does not matter how old you are, when you are told that you now have to undergo dialysis treatment - you think many things.

If you are like me my first thought was, "what is dialysis?", and my second thought was "when will I get better?" not knowing anything about it. No doubt you initially had similar thoughts and many others I suspect as well.

The initial adjustment and continual impact of living your life with dialysis can be difficult, and I know it can really get you down. Maybe this feeling hasn't passed and is still getting you down - even years after.

Maybe you are so down that you don't quite know what to do with your life now. That is, other than to turn up every other day for dialysis, and then come back and do it all again, and again, and...... again.

Maybe you have been thinking like this since your very first dialysis session and see no way out of what feels like a thick foggy haze.

If that's the case, this letter may very well hold the key in your transformation to living a great life from this point on... a life that is once again invigorated with color, drive, enthusiasm, passion and excitement for what the next chapter has in store for you.

Not only can you become a different person, but you will change the way you look at dialysis and it's place in your life literally over night. An immediate transformation!

Please visit http://www.livingwithkidneydialysis.com/ to read more about Adam and purchase a copy of his story.

On behalf of the entire kidney community, I give you great thanks Adam for sharing your journey with us. You are a true kidney champion and a valuable resource. God Bless You!