[email protected] Northwest Kidney Centers: 206-292-2771 Community Connection Development office: 206-292-5351 Volume 11, Issue 1 · Winter 2021

Inside this issue

Dialyzing at home Page 3 »

Sustaining giving Page 4 »

Comfort food Page 5 »

We hold to high standards for infection prevention during the pandemic to keep patients and staff safe. technician Gemy HopeBuilders Maninga cares for Randy Breske at the SeaTac clinic. livestream Page 6 » Hope for tomorrow, vigilance until then Why wear a mask after vaccination? The good news is that COVID-19 vaccines are 90+% effective and vaccine distribution has begun. Still, it will be months before most Once vaccinated, you will be of us are protected by vaccination. protected but could still spread the virus. Stay strong with infection prevention during this homestretch: mRNA vaccines teach our cells • Wear a mask to make a protein that triggers a targeted immune responses. Our • Wash hands often bodies then produce antibodies • Practice social distancing to fight that target, in this case COVID-19. The virus could live on • Avoid gathering with more than five people from outside your skin or in your nose briefly your household after you’ve been vaccinated These safety measures have proven effective. Let’s be vigilant with and thus be spread, though you infection prevention as we see light at the end of the tunnel. would be protected. 2 Community Connection Community Connection 3

“Home is comfortable and low-key. We keep Your home for dialysis a schedule, but it’s Home-based options get another well-deserved look convenient that we can start any time if we want to change up the day,” — Michael Beaumont Convenience and flexibility

Like many local residents starting dialysis, Michael Beaumont traveled three days a week from home in Mill Creek to the nearest Northwest Kidney Centers clinic, Kirkland in his case. He and his wife, Diana, soon decided to Why people choose to try home dialysis instead. It’s been two years since Michael dialyze at home and Diana made the switch. • Better health and longer life “We wanted to spend less time on the road, and to be able to do dialysis more often, which is healthier,” Michael said. Michael Beaumont giving himself at home. This • Flexibility and independence “Home is comfortable and low-key. We keep a schedule, gives him the flexibility and control that best suits his lifestyle and well-being. • Less restrictive diet but it’s convenient that we can start any time if we want to “When they get proper change up the day.” • Fewer hospitalizations Home options tailored to training and support, Recent emphasis on home • Improved quality of life most patients do many lifestyles • One-on-one training with a The federal Department of Health and Human Services is Home patients do either peritoneal dialysis, which uses the registered nurse extremely well at home. currently promoting home treatment along with transplant abdominal lining to filter out wastes, or , as alternatives to in-center dialysis. This is part of the • Home delivery of supplies We really believe that which is similar to dialysis in-center. Northwest Kidney Centers national Advancing American Kidney Health initiative, to home for dialysis is offers free Next Step classes to help patients choose the • Nurses available 24/7 improve health and quality of life for people with kidney optimal treatment. by phone best.” disease. Northwest Kidney Centers supports this effort. Home hemodialysis is an excellent option for many patients. • In-home visits, nutrition — Jayson Hood, RN Customized training near you advice and ongoing Clinical director Northwest Kidney Centers’ home dialysis program is the We have home training facilities and staff throughout the support and guidance Home dialysis program longest running in the country and has been the model for region so training and monthly checkups can be done close to many others worldwide. About 14% of our patients dialyze at patients’ homes. home. We are ready and willing to accommodate more.

Learn more at www.nwkidney.org/homeprogram Our home program, founded in 1964, is the oldest in the U.S. 4 Community Connection Community Connection 5

“I am so fortunate to be alive, enjoying life with my daughter, and financially able to support the vital work of Northwest Kidney Centers through a monthly contribution. I encourage you to give generously to help save lives.” – Janet E. Garrow, sustaining donor A riff on mac and cheese

Cold weather, long nights and a pandemic. Anyone for comfort food? Northwest Kidney Centers Make your legacy gift patients receive chairside nutrition education from registered dietitians, including help with kidney- Sustaining donor Janet E. Garrow of Whidbey Island friendly meal choices. As always, Northwest Kidney Centers dietitians have a meal for you. This and daughter Katie. You can help Northwest Kidney Centers delicious mac and cheese dish is also vegetarian, high protein, low potassium and low sodium. sustain patient programs supported by Sustaining donors charitable gifts by: Ingredients Directions make monthly impact • Including a charitable bequest to • 3 cups elbow, small shell or bowtie pasta Heat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta Northwest Kidney Centers in your will • 2 tablespoons flour until al dente. Measure flour and Make an impact every month! Go to or living trust. butter into a medium-sized glass bowl. www.nwkidney.org/donate. Choose your giving • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • Naming Northwest Kidney Centers level and check the monthly gift box under the Microwave 1-2 minutes until golden as the beneficiary of a life insurance • 2 cups milk Recurring Gift tab. brown. Slowly stir in milk and continue policy you no longer need, an individual • 1 teaspoon mustard powder microwaving until thickened. Stir in Your donations help provide extra services for retirement account or certificate of • 1 teaspoon paprika spices and herbs. Mix drained noodles, our 1,800+ patients and the community, including deposit. sauce and cheese, then pour into a emergency grants, free nutrition classes, special • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or tarragon, Questions? I’m here to help. care and charity care. You can feel good about chopped or 1 teaspoon dry greased casserole dish. Bake about knowing that your monthly support means so much 20 minutes. Add croutons or chopped Jane Pryor, CFRE • 2 cups cheese (Gouda, cheddar or any combo) almonds on top for the last 5 minutes. to so many. Vice president of • Croutons or chopped almonds to taste If you’d like help getting started or have questions, Development and please contact: Communications Nutrition Facts (Per serving. Makes 8 servings.) Dan O’Connor 206-720-8515 [email protected] [email protected] Calories: 424; Carbohydrates: 36 grams; Protein: 22 grams; Dietary Fiber: 2 grams; Fat: 20 grams; 206-292-5351 Sodium: 479 milligrams; Potassium: 237 milligrams; Phosphorus: 428 milligrams

Northwest Kidney Centers first treatment was Jan. 8, 1962. Find simple, healthy recipes at www.nwkidney.org/recipes. 6 Community Connection Community Connection 7 Volunteer leaders shift roles Russ Stepp, former Discovery Gala co-chair and current chair Virtual Discovery of Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation Board, has been Gala raises funds for appointed to Northwest Kidney Centers Board of Trustees. kidney research Russ was elected to the Foundation Board in 2015 and The 2020 Discovery Gala brought began a two-year term as its chair in July 2020. He will serve Thank you, sponsors! concurrently on both boards. Russ Stepp together a lively group of viewers to learn about and celebrate the latest We all hope that one day kidney disease will be a thing of the Dr. Andy Brockenbrough is the Foundation Board’s newest kidney research. Thanks to the 200 past. Until then, Northwest Kidney Centers will continue its member. Dr. Brockenbrough is a clinical nephrologist at guests who joined us on Oct. 17 for mission of patient care, education and research. Community UW Medicine’s Valley Nephrology Clinic, medical director the livestream and the 600+ guests support makes our success possible. of Northwest Kidney Centers Kent dialysis clinic and past who tuned in later, we raised nearly president of Northwest Kidney Centers medical executive $370,000 to support kidney research! committee.

Catherine Bylund recently retired from the Foundation Board Dr. Andy Brockenbrough after five years of service. Catherine and her husband, Gary, were co-chairs of Northwest Kidney Centers 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala in 2012 and served for many years on the Discovery Gala Committee, helping raise funds for kidney research. Catherine co-chaired the recent Elevating Eastside Kidney Care capital campaign, which has raised $3.7 million to date to renovate our Bellevue dialysis facility. Catherine Bylund

Join us! HopeBuilders Livestream 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Silver Thursday, May 13, 2021 Arcora Foundation Heritage Bank

Bronze Cascadia Content RBC Wealth Management ScheduleWise Sign Associates Stirrett Johnsen, Inc.

Check for tripping hazards at home. Get this newsletter by email: www.nwkidney.org/subscribe Our mission: to promote the optimal    www.nwkidney.org health, quality of life and independence of [email protected] people with kidney disease through patient Northwest Kidney Centers: 206-292-2771 care, education and research. Development office: 206-292-5351

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID 700 Broadway • WA 98122 SEATTLE WA PERMIT NO 3768 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Save the date

World Kidney Day Thursday, March 11

HopeBuilders Livestream Thursday, May 13

Are you ready for winter weather?

COVID-19 could make any emergency more challenging this winter. Please be prepared.

An emergency checklist is a good place to start.

Find suggested checklists at:

Washington state: www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies

U.S. Government: www.ready.gov

Find one specific to kidney patients at www.nwkidney.org/emergency. Planning now can make life easier in winter storms.