2025-08-20 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A

FB Live – August 20th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes Live on Facebook to answer patient questions about life with kidney disease. This month’s discussion focuses on transplant options, organ donation, the critical impact of anemia on kidney patients, and many other kidney-related topics.

Is there a limit to how many transplant lists a patient can join? Dr. Scantlebury explains that patients can list at multiple centers as long as they are able to travel to those hospitals when a kidney becomes available. She also highlights important considerations, such as having nearby support, being able to return for labs and biopsies after surgery, and ensuring follow-up care in the crucial early weeks post-transplant.

Dr. Scantlebury breaks down the two main types of kidney donation. Living donation occurs when a healthy person volunteers to donate one of their kidneys—something possible because most people are born with two but only need one to live. Deceased donation, which provides most transplant organs, happens when someone who is declared brain-dead donates their kidneys either through their prior decision or their family’s consent. She also explains directed donation, which can happen for either living or deceased donation, where a donor’s kidney can be given to a specific person in need or directed through paired exchange.

Anemia is more than low energy—it can be life-threatening for kidney patients. Healthy kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that signals bone marrow to make red blood cells. When kidney function declines, so does red blood cell production, which reduces oxygen delivery throughout the body. This shortage puts additional stress on the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and even heart attacks. Dr. Scantlebury stresses the importance of keeping hemoglobin levels above nine and explains how medications like Epogen injections can stimulate red blood cell production for patients.

Dr. Scantlebury provides expert insights to help patients and caregivers better understand kidney disease. Whether you’re waiting for a transplant, living with kidney disease, or supporting a loved one, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you stay informed and empowered.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens 
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens