RSN Vision Statement
RSN continues to serve the kidney community by instilling health, happiness, and
hope through education, advocacy, and awareness...one person at a time.
RSN Mission Statement
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 values people with kidney disease and helps them
become self-sufficient through education, advocacy, and hope for a better
tomorrow.
We let them know they are not alone in the struggle against kidney disease. We
will continually increase our ability to:
Help patients find resources to manage their disease
Produce materials and activities that make their lives more enjoyable
Offer patients and family education on life enhancement and illness-related issues
Showcase the talent and untapped potential of people with CKD
Teach patients how to advocate for themselves with legislative partnering.
We aspire to be recognized as the premier patient-driven organization.
RSN History
Renal Support Network 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 chronic kidney disease (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.
RSN accomplishes this by providing service, support, and advocacy to patients
and their families, and by building coalitions within the renal community. RSN—a
nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization—strives to help CKD
patients develop their personal coping skills, special talents, and
employability by educating and empowering them, as well as their family members,
to take control of the course and management of the disease.
