The Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) is a nationwide, patient-led organization designed to help dialysis patients and provide resources to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates. Learn more about DPC here, including what it does, what resources it provides, and how you can advocate for yourself and the dialysis patient community.*

What is the DPC?

With more than 28,000 patient members, DPC is the largest patient-led organization in the U.S., with board members who also have end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The Washington, D.C.-based organization’s mission is to be a voice for dialysis patients and advocate for public policies that will support people experiencing kidney failure. 

What policy issues are they working on?

DPC works on a variety of issues that impact dialysis patients daily. Some of their top priorities include:

• Improving access to dialysis care
• Promoting financial security
• Increasing quality of care
• Advancing patient choice

How do they help patients become advocates?

DPC seeks to provide patients with education, access, and confidence to speak out for themselves. Some ways they are doing this include: 

• Grassroots campaigns
• Conference calls and briefings
• Patient ambassador programs
• Advocate training on dialysis-related issues

How does DPC make an impact? 

There is strength in numbers, and DPC is always interested in training more dialysis patients to participate in public policy initiatives. They rely on members to help establish priorities for both advocacy and education, update those priorities as necessary, and speak out with a unified voice. Membership in the organization is free. You can visit https://www.dialysispatients.org/ for more information. 

*Yang, J., Bracamonte, H., Bracamonte, H., & Bracamonte, H. (2023, January 17). Home. Dialysis Patient Citizens. https://www.dialysispatients.org