Patient Stories
Nanette Zumwalt
Nanette and Rick Zumwalt hosted a gala in October 2022 to support UCLA's CORE Kidney Health Program, which focuses on clinical excellence, outreach, research, and education. The event, attended by friends, family, and UCLA staff, raised over $190,000. The program, led by Dr. Anjay Rastogi, aims to raise kidney disease awareness and provide resources. The fundraising goal was to establish a CORE Kidney Center for comprehensive kidney care. The Zumwalts, inspired by Nanette's PKD diagnosis, aim to annually promote awareness about the program and kidney diseases, given that PKD affects about 600,000 people in the US and is a significant cause of kidney failure.
Lewis Simon
Lewis Simon's family has a history of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). He was diagnosed with ADPKD at age 10, which sparked an interest in kidney health research. When his father's condition worsened, Lewis' mother miraculously donated a kidney, thanks to Dr. Anjay Rastogi's expertise, leading to a successful transplant at UCLA. Nearly a decade later, Lewis met Dr. Rastogi and began participating in ADPKD clinical trails. Dr. Rastogi's unwavering care and support made him not only their doctor but also their friend. Remarkably, Lewis discovered that Dr. Rastogi had been the transplant physician for his parent's surgery years before they met. Now, as a Master's student in Applied Epidemiology, Lewis volunteers in Dr. Rastogi's office research office, focusing on kidney disease research and support. Lewis is also a proud Green Ribbon Campaign ambassador, advocating for kidney disease awareness and support.
Colleen Flanary
Colleen Flanary's daughter, Caitlin, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which was a new mutation in her case. Knowing that she might not be able to donate her kidney to Caitlin due to age restrictions, Colleen decided to become educated about kidney disease and was open to donating to someone in need. When she learned about the kidney voucher program, she was thrilled. This program allowed Colleen to donate her kidney while still within the suitable age range to help a stranger, and Caitlin would receive a voucher for a future kidney transplant. Under the care of Dr. Rastogi at UCLA, Colleen successfully donated her kidney in 2018, and had the opportunity to meet the recipient and her family. This experience profoundly impacted Collee's life, and she praised the excellent care and support provided by UCLA throughout the process.