Lori Hartwell has made a difference in the lives of thousands of people with chronic kidney disease. She is the model of living a fulfilling life despite chronic illness. In 1993, Lori - a kidney patient since age two and now with her third kidney transplant - founded the patient-run Renal Support Network to instill “health, happiness, and hope” into the lives of fellow patients. As RSN president, Lori travels throughout the country educating and inspiring patients and healthcare professionals with her stories, insight, and humor. She is the author of Chronically Happy - Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness, and is president of Hartwell Communications, specializing in written and oral communications to educate healthcare professionals and patients. Lori is a frequent guest on radio talk shows nationwide. Her annual Renal Teen Prom has enjoyed local and national television coverage, and her contributions to improving the well-being of people with chronic illness have been widely recognized.

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When doctors put two-year-old Lori Hartwell on dialysis after her kidneys mysteriously stopped working, they 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 dialysis therapy.  Following 12 years on dialysis 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.

The insightful, often humorous, and touching story of how Ms. Hartwell chose to live life rather than succumb to its obstacles is laid out in her book, Chronically Happy - Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness, which chronicles her approach of taking simple, logical steps in order to realize one’s dreams. Chronically Happy, published in 2002 by Poetic Media Press (ISBN 0-9722783-0-3), represents the first book written by a kidney patient ever to reach national distribution.

Ms. Hartwell realized one of her most ambitious dreams to date when, in 1993, she founded the Renal Support Network (RSN) 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 Southern California 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 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.

Career

Ms. Hartwell began her career in the renal field as a technical sales specialist for HemaMetrics. She then accepted the position of Western Regional Sales Manager for Medcomp, distributors of vascular access catheters, where she oversaw company activities in seven states. These positions allowed Ms. Hartwell to visit more than 500 hospitals in 30 states. As such, she was able to develop a broad-based, multi-faceted view of the U.S. patient population, and to witness the importance of a mutual understanding between patients and healthcare providers in the quest for quality care.

Upon leaving the world of sales, Ms. Hartwell became editor of the medical journal Contemporary Dialysis & Nephrology and of the lay journal For Patients Only. Combining this experience with her knowledge of renal disease from both the patient and industry perspectives, Ms. Hartwell established, in 2000, Hartwell Communications, specializing in written and oral communications to educate renal healthcare professionals and patients. She wrote and produced “Communication Prescription for the Renal Care Professional,” a 60-minute video that shares practical advice, creative communication concepts, and stories of hope from people who live with kidney disease and from veteran renal care professionals. This video - which won a 2001 Aegis Award for its production quality - illustrates the positive impact that renal care professionals can have on people’s lives. 

Ms. Hartwell travels the country giving motivational and educational presentations to healthcare professionals, patients, and industry representatives, both at national conferences and at the regional/local level.

Patient Advocacy

Ms. Hartwell’s passion lies with giving patients with chronic illness a reason to live and hope for the future. Her battle cry, “An illness is too demanding when you don’t have hope,” is presently reverberating throughout the U.S. patient community and has manifested itself in the form of the RSN.

Founded in Southern California in 1993 as a local grassroots effort, the influence of this patient-run organization 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 diagnosis, on dialysis, or 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.

Public Service

Ms. Hartwell works with elected officials to advise on how policies impact people with chronic illnesses. In 2000, she was asked to serve on the Governors Rehabilitation Council for the state of California. She is chair of the Patient Advisory Committee for the Southern California Renal Disease Council and is an active member of the California Dialysis Council. Ms. Hartwell was chosen to be a consultant for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Clinical Performance Measures Project on Vascular Access.

Recent Awards & Recognitions

• October 2005 - recipient of the “Women in Business Award,” presented by the California State Legislature.

• July 2005 - KNX Radio Citizen of the Week

• May 2005 - named “Citizen of the Week” by KNX Radio, Los Angeles, CA.

• March 2005 - named “Woman of the Year” in the 21st Senate District by California State Sen. Jack Scott (D-Pasadena).

• January 2004 - recipient of the “2003 Quality of Life Award,” presented by Nephrology News & Issues.

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