Bay Area Woman Selected to Represent California Kidney Patients on Capitol Hill

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Shar Carlyle, Director of the Kidney Community Education Program in San Rafael was chosen by the National Kidney Foundation to represent the state of California during World Kidney Day in Washington D.C on March 7th and 8th, 2012.  Ms. Carlyle, who suffers from the painful effects of polycystic kidney disease, and the first person in California to receive an altruistic living donor kidney transplant via the internet, is one of 20 people selected from across the nation.  She will speak with policy makers about kidney disease, its risk factors,  impact on the community, and legislative issues that affect the lives of kidney patients.  "It is both an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously," Carlyle said.

With the United Network of Organ Sharing national deceased donor wait list at over 113,000, the need for solutions is critical.  Housed out of time-shared desk space in Community Action Marin, Carlyle developed The KCE Program which serves low-income and disenfranchised adults with kidney challenges.  KCE provides education,  guidance, information and inspiration to help those affected find constructive solutions. KCE builds bridges between vulnerable populations and resources/support services in the medical community in order to reach better outcomes for clients, accessing  both local and national resources.

Ms. Carlyle stated, "I am very grateful to Gail Theller, Executive Director of Community Action Marin and its Board of Directors for their program support."  Gail Theller, herself a kidney donor recently said to Shar, "This program can be your legacy."  Shar replied, "I'd like that!" 

Web site:  www.camarin.org/kce.html

SOURCE The Kidney Community Education Program