Kidney transplantation is the best option to restore quality of life for patients with end stage renal disease. In-center dialysis in particular, requires a huge time commitment from patients who undergo treatment 3 times weekly for several hours each session. This conference is designed to educate dialysis unit staff, particularly technicians, enabling them to provide accurate information to their dialysis patients about what they can expect once referred for kidney transplant evaluation.

Through partnership with dialysis unit staff, we are able to provide a consistent message about the lifesaving benefit of kidney transplantation, the best option for kidney transplant which is living donation and what patients will encounter as a part of their evaluation. We also hope to familiarize dialysis unit staff regarding requirements for pancreas transplantation. Patients may be declined for kidney transplantation due to restrictive BMI criteria. Weight loss on dialysis is difficult. Through the use of robotic surgery, patients may be eligible for transplant while still encouraged to have a healthy nutritional lifestyle.

Social media can be used as a tool to inform communities regarding a patient’s need for kidney transplant and promote living donation as their best option. Our goal is to inform regarding appropriate use of social media for this purpose. Financial barriers to kidney transplantation are of significant concern to recipients. We will inform attendees of success stories they can share with their patients.