Renal Support Network

About RSN

The 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). RSN strives to help patients develop their personal coping skills, special talents, and employability by educating and empowering them (and their family members) to take control of the course and management of the disease. A vital role of RSN is to provide lawmakers and policymakers with the patients’ perspective on the needs and capabilities of people with CKD.

The Renal Support Network helps people with kidney disease and become self-sufficient through education, advocacy, and hope for a better tomorrow.

RSN was founded in 1993 by Lori Hartwell—a kidney disease survivor since 1968—to instill health, happiness, and hope into the lives of those affected by CKD.

The influence of this patient-run organization—which started out as a local “grassroots” effort—now extends across America. RSN’s mission is to identify and meet the non-medical needs of people affected by CKD, whether they are in the early stages of the disease, on dialysis, or living with a kidney transplant.

Learn more about Renal Support Network.

About Lori Hartwell

When two-year-old Lori Hartwell was put on dialysis after her kidneys mysteriously stopped working, doctors didn’t expect her to live. That was the first time she beat seemingly insurmountable odds to survive, and she continues to “one-up” the statistics today.

As a young patient, Ms. Hartwell encountered the pioneering stages of renal replacement therapy. She was the youngest person in the state of California ever to be placed on peritoneal dialysis. Following 12 years on dialysis (both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis) and three kidney transplants ― the last of which took place in 1990 and continues to serve her well ― Ms. Hartwell has emerged as a powerful illustration of how people with chronic illness can lead complete and productive lives.

Her story is told in her 2002 book, Chronically Happy - Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness , the first book written by a kidney patient to reach national distribution.

In 1993, Ms. Hartwell founded the Renal Support Network (RSN) to instill “health, happiness, and hope” into the lives of those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD).

She has been a guest on radio talk shows worldwide, and her annual Renal Teen Prom has enjoyed nationwide television coverage. She received the "2004 Quality of Life" award from Nephrology News & Issues Magazine and was named "2005 Woman of the Year" by California State Senator Jack Scott.  She has been recognized for her achievements by former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson; Governors Gray Davis of California and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota; Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (CA) and Herb Kohl (WI); and Congressmen James Oberstar (MN), David Obey (WI) and Adam Schiff (CA).

Ms. Hartwell travels the world giving motivational and educational presentations to renal healthcare professionals, patients, and industry representatives.