Corey is optimistic when it comes to dialysis, advocating for patients and educating those who don’t seem to know much about kidney disease or the dialysis process.
Never Giving Up
Meet Corey Winnie. Corey’s kidneys failed in February 2019. He has a family history of polycystic kidney disease. “My family told me as a kid my kidneys might fail.” Corey remembers what treatments were like for people in his family, “Treatments used to be 8 and a half hours when I was little.” Since then, treatment times have decreased significantly for dialysis patients.
As if dialyzing 15 hours a week wasn’t enough of a job for Corey, he also works 40 hours per week as a data entry manager at a local plastic factory. “It’s crazy how many people still work and have to go to dialysis.”
Occasionally for some patients come challenges. For Corey, he has faced issues with his access point – the connection that allows the dialysis machine to access the bloodstream. “I had fistula surgery for the port to work properly and still have trouble taking the port.”
“[I look forward to] seeing other patients and staff, getting to know people I’m in here with every day. There are really kind people in chairs around me and I get to hear everyone’s story.”
-Corey Winnie
Don’t Skip Dialysis
Though Corey faces issues with dialyzing, he still attends every treatment he is scheduled for.
Corey stresses the importance of never skipping a treatment. “Even leaving early or cutting treatments can add up. You end up with so much nasty stuff sitting in your body because your kidneys filter blood, extra fluid, and [if you skip treatment] the junk builds up. Leaving early can be detrimental. If you have to not be here, call to reschedule, come in another day, you need it.”
East Tennessee Kidney Foundation Inc.™ has helped Corey in covering travel costs through the Dianne Hagey Dialysis Transportation Program. “Insurance covers dialysis, but not wear and tear on a car. It has been nice to have help with that.”
-Corey Winnie
Be the Match: Become A Donor Today
There are over 15,000 people in Tennessee currently living with kidney disease and that number continues to increase every year. However you can help make a difference by registering to become an organ donor today.
Kidney donation is something that can be provided by a living donor. Living donors allow for an immediate impact and help spare patients long wait times by being on a waiting list.
In 2023 more than 6,900 transplants were made possible by living donors.
You can help save a life today by registering to become an organ donor on your drivers license or becoming a living donor.
Tennessee Donor Services provides a variety of resources and information about the donation process. Click the link below to learn more about how you can have an impact on someone’s life today.