23 Year Old Dialysis Patient Seeks Funding For Arm Cozy Invention
by Shanice Figeroux
2010 and I'm still here!
Since 1999, I've had two kidney transplants, followed by two nephrectomies (removal of the kidneys) when those transplants failed. The first transplant I received was from my mother in 2000. We were so happy then; our story was covered by Lifetime Women's Television and I was on the front page of the News day newspaper; it was a crippling loss to have it fail. My teenage years were compromised, miserable and tiring. My second transplant, in 2005, also failed due to complications with infections. But even at a tough time like that, I never gave up, though it was tempting. When my doctors told me of the seriousness of the situation, when I was losing that second kidney, I felt I had lost all my freedom, all my hope, as well as my organ. I was so incredibly sad, and feeling helpless. I would have to undergo dialysis treatment three times a week for three hours a day. Dialysis is renal replacement therapy. It is an artificial replacement for lost kidney function due to renal failure. There are several methods of dialysis, and hemodialysis, which cleans the blood via a machine, is probably the best known. It's what you see on medical shows on TV and it's what I've been doing for five years. Dialysis does NOT treat kidney disease. It is effectively a life support treatment, keeping a renal patient alive until they can receive a transplant. Transplant isn't a CURE either; it replaces a sick kidney with a working kidney, but it still means a lifetime of immune suppressive medication. Those are challenging too, but definitely preferable to dialysis! Despite my situation, I strive for change. I strive for improvement in the medical world -- for more options for people with kidney failure, and for more comfort and support for those on dialysis. I am fortunate because I see life as a challenge, and I am still here fighting. I've seen others, people my age, friends, lose this fight. It's enough to shatter one's hope. That's plenty enough reason for me to do what I'm trying to do. Being on dialysis for the last four years, I've come to realize how important physical comfort is during treatment. Comfort improves coping! I've created a simple product to help dialysis patients be cozy and comfortable during treatment. It's called the Arm Cozy. Simply stated the Arm Cozy is an ergonomically designed support pillow, configured to mold the arm and provide optimal support during dialysis, chemotherapy, giving blood, or getting blood. My invention is configured expressly to support the arm during a patient's treatment. It can be utilized while undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy and or any other intravenous treatments. If this product is produced it might reduce the risk of infiltration during any and all intravenous treatments. The primary target markets for the Arm Cozy would be patients that receive chemotherapy, hemodialysis and any and all intervention treatments As of 2009, there are 920,000 people (I'm one of them) receiving dialysis treatment worldwide and it's growing about 5-7% a year. There are currently 12,000 centers and 5,229 community hospitals in the United States offering dialysis treatments at an average of cost per treatment of $220-$445. I've always tried to stay positive: * I won the Bright Star award in 2004 from the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America * I competed on the state level in the Miss Teen USA pageant * I walk the Walk for Organ and Tissue Donation every year. * I've spoken to medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, helping them to learn how to talk with adolescents. * I was interviewed on Channel 13's Keeping Kids Healthy, about coping with being on dialysis. * I participate in groups for dialysis patients and have tried to be a spokesperson for other patients in my units. * I have recommendations (and wonderful support) from my nephrologists and social workers Please help make my dream a reality! I am seeking your help in getting this product produced and made available to dialysis patients. This is also a way for me to EARN A LIVING, rather than relying on Disability. I can regain some independence and self-efficacy, while helping a group I know so well. Thanks for listening. God bless!
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