Did you know that people who have received a kidney transplant are at a much higher risk for skin cancer? We sat down with experts to discuss how you can lower your risk.

In this episode we heard from:

Dr. Cerrene Giordano is a dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgeon at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. She specializes in treating skin cancers, particularly in patients who are high risk such as those who have received organ transplants, have weakened immune systems, or a genetic predisposition to skin cancer development. Her expertise includes skin cancer surgery, wound reconstruction, and the management of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, to name a few. Dr. Giordano is also involved in research aimed at improving pain management following dermatologic surgeries and exploring advanced imaging techniques to enhance surgical outcomes.

Kent Bressler is a retired RN who was diagnosed with FSGS in 1984, and received a living donor transplant from his brother Kip in 1987. Kent is an active advocate for preemptive kidney transplant and has on the recommendation of NKF worked closely with the DoD and PCORI as a consumer peer reviewer. He is an NKF peer mentor and advocate who has collaborated on an editorial “Change in Albuminuria and GFR as End Points for Clinical Trials in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease,” published in AJKD in 2019. He will also be participating in the development of the new NKF Patient Network serving on the Data Input and Integration Committee. He has been an active hill advocate for the NKF for six years and was the proud recipient of the 2017 Richard K. Salick Advocacy Award. Kent is also an Army Veteran and retired from the Veterans administration as an RN. He is the co-founder of Kidney Solutions a not for profit program in Texas that assists patients and families in the transplant process and in finding a donor. He is currently an assistant team leader for Region 7. Kent and Cathy Bressler have been married for 56 years and their family consists of Gretchen and Todd Rossington and their son Colt and Celeste and Alex Brown and their children John Banks, Catherine and Alexis Brown.

Risa Simon is a passionate author, speaker, mentor, kidney patient coach and advocate. As the founder and CEO of The Proactive Path and the TransplantFirst Academy, her mission is to help all kidney disease patients advocate for their best life possible—the life she now lives. As a preemptive kidney transplant recipient, Risa was able to circumvent the need for dialysis. This is her hope for all eligible kidney patients. Risa gives back a good portion of her time by serving on various advisory committees, such as the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF’s) Kidney Action committee, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) program and convention committees and she chairs the Phoenix Chapter’s Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) education committee.  She is also a member of the PKD Legacy Society and serves as a Peer Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Risa’s message is all about empowering kidney patients to bring their voice to life. 

Additional Resources:

Dr. Cerrene Giordano

Protect the Skin You're In

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