Kidney Transplant Patient Portland OR - Kidney Kid and Sibling Support Groups

Kidney Kid and Sibling Support Groups

Posted on 1/24/2022 by Maggie Mackenzie

Mackenzie’s Personal Story Why Support Groups are Important

by Mackenzie Kerper, Programs and Camps Manager at NW Kidney Kids

I am going to briefly tell a little about my story to help reinforce my point.

I was 16 when I was diagnosed with ESRD and 17 when I had my first transplant. It wasn’t until my early/mid 20’s that I met a woman who had also had a transplant. Her story was incredible. We exchanged phone numbers but weren’t in contact until she randomly came to work for me years later. Although our relationship was professional, we did occasionally get to talk about our kidneys and the journey that put us on.

Shortly after, I decided I wanted to continue to advance my career and thought perhaps some volunteering experience would help or at least help bulk up my resume. I looked up many different areas of interest. Finally, I started looking at kidney related volunteer opportunities. Up pops NW Kidney Kids! After volunteering the first time, I was in love and couldn’t tell you how important it is to have other kidney patients and families in your circle. Having only one person who I got to connect with about kidney disease up until that point, that was really hard. No matter how much you talk about your journey with someone who doesn’t have CKD, they will never understand, no matter how hard they try.

If I would have gotten the chance to participate in a support group, especially virtually where I could participate from my couch in my pajamas, I would have participated in an instant! I could share, or just listen, to others about topics like being different or fragile in the eyes of others. I could share, or just listen, when others shared about the struggles they were going through, or the joys of being emotionally strong. I could share, or just listen, about the foods that we can’t eat or the amount of pills we have to take, or how much school we miss due to appointments, or the long drive to the clinic or hospital. Even just knowing that other people experience the same things, means a lot! Makes a person feel like they belong. And that’s what I was missing for 10 years before finding NW Kidney Kids!

I have made some lifelong friends through NW Kidney Kids and I am so thankful for this new second family that I have! Participating in the support groups we offer can be a great way for your children to feel connected as well. We are here as a family and we need to support and lift each other up as a family does. Through our support groups, one for kidney kids, and one for siblings, we can do just that. Let us know you’re interested Here.

Acerca de Nosotros

Nuestra Historia

En el 2006, un grupo de padres y profesionales apasionados fundaron Northwest Kidney Kids con el objetivo principal de mantener el campamento familiar Kidney Kids. Este programa de verano inicialmente involucró a 15 a 17 familias que se unieron para brindarse apoyo mutuo. Después de establecer con éxito a Northwest Kidney Kids como una organización sin fines de lucro registrada 501(c)(3), los fundadores colaboraron anualmente para mantener las tradiciones de los campamentos familiares. En los 15 años transcurridos desde su creación, el personal comprometido, la junta directiva y los miembros de la comunidad de Northwest Kidney Kids han seguido apoyando a los niños y las familias afectadas por la enfermedad renal crónica. Nuestros programas se han ampliado para incluir dos campamentos anuales adicionales, iniciativas de apoyo clínico y numerosos proyectos de recursos.

Nuestro Fundador

El Dr. Randall Jenkins, también conocido como "Dr. J" por sus pacientes, es el nefrólogo pediátrico con más experiencia en el área de Portland. Ha estado involucrado en la creación y gestión de campamentos para niños con enfermedades renales desde mediados de los años 1990. En el 2006, fundó NW Kidney Kids, Inc. para continuar con estos campamentos y ampliar los programas. El Dr. Jenkins es el ex presidente de la junta (2006-junio de 2013) y el actual jefe de división del Departamento de Nefrología Pediátrica del Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Continúa apoyando a la organización de muchas maneras. En su escaso tiempo libre, le gusta esquiar.

Nuestra Misión

La misión de Northwest Kidney Kids es ofrecer esperanza y apoyo a niños con enfermedad renal crónica y a sus familias. Brindamos actividades grupales, servicios de prevención y programas educativos que empoderan a los Kidney Kids para alcanzar el éxito a lo largo de toda su vida.

Nuestra Visión

Nuestra visión es ver a cada niño que vive con enfermedad renal y a su familia prosperar. Nuestra esperanza, al acompañar a los Kidney Kids, es que aprendan a tomar el control de su salud, a manejar su condición y a abrazar su futuro. Nos esforzamos por construir una comunidad solidaria en la que las familias se sientan cuidadas y alentadas. Nuestro objetivo es brindar un entorno seguro y lleno de cariño donde cada miembro de la familia Kidney Kid pueda aprender, crecer y alcanzar su máximo potencial.
Como organización, NW Kidney Kids se esfuerza por ser autosustentable y reconocida como una fuerza compasiva, respetada y bien valorada por operar con integridad. Queremos ser vistos como una influencia positiva dentro de la comunidad de la enfermedad renal, tanto a nivel local como nacional. Para lograrlo, buscamos constantemente mejorar y ampliar nuestros programas para que sean relevantes y valiosos para las necesidades de más niños y familias.

Northwest Kidney Kids, PO Box 230075, Portland, OR 97281, (503) 893-5671, nwkidneykids.org, 6/10/2026, Page Keywords: Kidney Transplant Patient Portland OR,