James Myers Bio

BIO
My name is James Myers. I live in Hammond, Indiana. I graduated from Valparaiso University Law School and I have 2 MBA’s in Business and Healthcare Administration. Polycystic Kidney Disease runs in my family. I’ve lost 5 members of my family to PKD, including my Father. I have PKD. I was fortunate. Because of my family’s history, I was diagnosed at the age of 25, and was able to put off dialysis until the age of 58. I was on dialysis for 4 years and was transplanted on April 27th, 2016. I named my new kidney Woody. Woodrow is a family name, so I did this to honor my father and my grandfather.
I am a full-time kidney advocate. I am an Advocate for the National Kidney Foundation. In 2019, I was named the Advocate of the Year. For the NKF, I am a Statewide Advocate for the State of Indiana, Member of the Kidney Advocacy Committee, Leader of the KAC Social Media Group and a Regional Leader of Region #5(MI, OH, IN, KY, TN). I was influential in bringing about the NKF’s Pediatric Kidney Patient Initiative. I am an Ambassador for the American Kidney Fund, AAKP, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, the Dialysis Patient Citizens, the Renal Support Network, the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, More Than Just Your Kidneys and Waitlist Zero. I hold leadership positions with the AAKP as a Member of the Board of Directors, an Ambassador for the State of Indiana, the I have won several professional awards and honors including the Inaugural National Social Media Education and Advocacy Award from the AAKP and Robert Felter Memorial Award. I have been fortunate to give multiple seminars for the AAKP on Social Media and Kidney Disease and have been a Breakout Session Leader concerning the use of Social Media to advocate/raise awareness for kidney disease as well as a presentation about Facebook and it’s use to advocate for my fellow kidney patients. I helped to initiate the Pediatric Kidney Patients initiative (Kidney Pals), and I am part of the initiative for Kidneys and Veterans. I am the Chairman, Strategic Communications Committee, and a Member, 2019 National Patient Meeting Committee (Awarded).
I am a frequent speaker at the NKFI Kidney Walks in Merrillville, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana. I am a frequent traveler and speaker for kidney patients, including stops in 2018 at Boston, Kansas City, Washington, D.C., St. Petersburg, San Francisco and Kidney Week in San Diego.
My specialty as an Ambassador for the NKF is my ability to utilize social media to help my fellow kidney patients and to raise awareness of the plights of the kidney patient. I am an administrator for 72 kidney pages on Facebook, another 50+ Kidney Groups of various topics, 10 blog pages and 9 e-newspapers. I am a very experienced advocate both at home and on the hill with my Members of Congress. I helped to begin an initiative for Pediatric Kidney Patients and for Veterans with the AAKP.
My advocate nickname is Uncle Jim. If you have a kidney question or issue you need help with, please do not hesitate to contact me at HYPERLINK "file:///C:\\Users\\James Myers\\Documents\\kidneystories@hotmail.com" kidneystories@hotmail.com. I thank the NKF for all the opportunities they have given to me.
GROUPS:
National Kidney Foundation
I am the Statewide Advocate for the State of Indiana, A member of an elite group of Advocates, the Kidney Advocacy Committee, and a Regional Leader for Group #5 consisting of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Winner: 2019 National Kidney Foundation-Advocate of the Year Award, the Richard K. Salick Advocacy Award.
According to the NKF: “During this year’s Summit, we awarded our 2019 Richard K. Salick Award to Awardee, Jim Myers. This prestigious award is presented to an individual who embodies the spirit of the NKF’s dear friend, Rich Salick, a former pro surfer who underwent three kidney transplants, faced cancer, but still put the needs of other kidney patients ahead of his own.
Jim is a leader among the NKF’s Kidney Advocacy Committee and a tenacious advocate for kidney patients across the country. Jim works tirelessly to educate lawmakers about kidney disease, legislative priorities, and to help empower fellow kidney patients to make a difference in their lives.”
This is the highest award the NKF gives to a volunteer.


American Association of Kidney Patients
Member of the Board of Directors 2017-Present
Member of the AAKP Ambassadors 2017-Present
I am a Regional Advocate for them, A speaker and have presented 4 seminars for them on the topic of social media and advocacy.
2015-AAKP My Video Talk to the AAKP on Winning the National Social Media Education & Advocacy Award on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/140550061
2016-AAKP Host and Speaker for a Webinar, “Social Media Training Hotline” in honor of World Kidney Day
2017-Speaker at AAKP Meeting in Nashville Social Media Training
2019 Kidney Pals Interview: School Days: An Interview With Emily Whitacre (About her 5 year old son Henry attending school)
2019 Webinars Presented For AAKP Pediatric Kidney Patients Initiative (Kidney Pals)
Part 1: Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers on How to Support Your Pediatric Kidney Patient
Part 2: What to Expect When Your Child Starts Dialysis
Part 3: Growing Up as a Kidney Patient Transitioning Into Adult Care
2019-AAKP Speaker at the National Patient Meeting, “Building Relationships with Elected Officials,” and “Raise Your Voice: The Power Of Social Media And Grass Roots Tactics”
2018-AAKP Kidney Pals Article: Why I’m a Pediatric Kidney Patient Advocate
AAKP Kidney Pals Article: Problems Faced by Pediatric Kidney Patients and their Caregivers

American Kidney Fund
Ambassador.
Dialysis Patient Citizens
Kidney advocate for the DPC.
Waitlist Zero
I am an advocate for this group that is dedicated to making kidney donation easier for the kidney donor.
PUBLICATIONS: BACK TO SCHOOL: AN INTERVIEW (WITH EMILY WHITACRE ON HER 5 YR OLD SON, HENRY)
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/08/back-to-school-interview.html?m=1" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/08/back-to-school-interview.html?m=1

ADVOCATING WITH ALEXIS FROM THE PKD FOUNDATION
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/08/advocating-with-alexis-from-pkd.html?m=1" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/08/advocating-with-alexis-from-pkd.html?m=1


PREEMPTIVE TRANSPLANTS: WHY AREN’T THEY MORE POPULAR?
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesblogger.blogspot.com/2019/07/preemptive-kidney-transplants-why-arent.html?m=1" https://kidneystoriesblogger.blogspot.com/2019/07/preemptive-kidney-transplants-why-arent.html?m=1

WE NEED A NEW MEDICARE POLICY ON IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT MEDICATIONS FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2018/10/we-need-new-medicare-policy-on.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2018/10/we-need-new-medicare-policy-on.html

Q&A with CDC Ambassador James Myers
https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/q-with-cdc-ambassador-james-myers.html
Voices of PKD: Jim Myers, kidney advocate
https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/voices-of-pkd-jim-myers-kidney-advocate.html
Early Detection and Treatment Saved My Life
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/early-detection-and-treatment-saved-my.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/early-detection-and-treatment-saved-my.html
Living with dialysis, fighting kidney disease
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/living-with-dialysis-fighting-kidney.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/living-with-dialysis-fighting-kidney.html
Crown Point kidney recipient dedicated to helping others get transplants
https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/crown-point-kidney-recipient-dedicated.html
SOCIAL MEDIA AWARDS
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/social-media-awards.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/social-media-awards.html
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/board-of-directors.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/board-of-directors.html
KIDNEY PATIENTS TRAIN TO FLEX SOCIAL MEDIA MUSCLE
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/kidney-patients-train-to-flex-social.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/kidney-patients-train-to-flex-social.html

KIDNEY PATIENTS SHED LIGHT ON DEADLY DISEASE DURING KIDNEY MONTH
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/kidney-patients-shed-light-on-deadly.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/kidney-patients-shed-light-on-deadly.html
WALKING FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/walking-for-kidney-transplants.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/walking-for-kidney-transplants.html
JIM MYERS: WHY I’M A PEDIATRIC KIDNEY PATIENT ADVOCATE
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/jim-myers-why-im-pediatric-kidney.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/jim-myers-why-im-pediatric-kidney.html

BACK TO SCHOOL: PROBLEMS FACED BY PEDIATRIC KIDNEY PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS (POSTED SEPT. 4, 2018)
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/back-to-school-problems-faced-by.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/back-to-school-problems-faced-by.html
MY MOTIVATION FOR THE AAKP PEDIATRIC PALS NEWSLETTER
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/my-motivation-for-aakp-pediatric-pals.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/my-motivation-for-aakp-pediatric-pals.html
Living with dialysis, fighting kidney disease
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/living-with-dialysis-fighting-kidney_25.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/living-with-dialysis-fighting-kidney_25.html
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OPPOSING THE DIALYSIS PATIENT DEMONSTRATION ACT (HR 4143)
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/letters-to-editor-opposing-dialysis.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/letters-to-editor-opposing-dialysis.html
SPEECH FOR CARE DX IN SAN FRANCISCO
HYPERLINK "https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/speech-for-care-dx.html" https://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2019/02/speech-for-care-dx.html
Book Review: The Gift of Disappointment, A Memoir
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-by-james-w-myers-of-gift-of.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-by-james-w-myers-of-gift-of.html
April 2017
This is a book review of a book published by Leilah I. Sampson, about her struggles with kidney disease.

Why We Need To Be More Active on Social Media
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/05/why-we-need-to-be-more-active-on-social.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/05/why-we-need-to-be-more-active-on-social.html
May 2016
This is an essay written at the request for the American Association of Kidney Patients related to 2 seminars I gave for them and a speech that I made at the AAKP Convention in September of 2016.
Region Residents Turn To Social Media for Organs
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/04/region-residents-turn-to-social-media.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/04/region-residents-turn-to-social-media.html
April 2016
Article written about me by the NWI Times concerning my use of social media to find kidney donors for others
Guest Commentary: Support The Living Donor Protection Act
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/04/guestcommentary-support-living-donor.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2016/04/guestcommentary-support-living-donor.html
April 2016
Article that appeared I the NWI Times concerning supporting the Living Donor Protection Act.
What You Can Give On Giving Tuesday
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2015/12/what-you-can-give-on-giving-tuesday.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2015/12/what-you-can-give-on-giving-tuesday.html
December 2015
Short blog a bout things that can be given for free on Giving Tuesday
Video: Acceptance Speech for AAKP Social Media Award
HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/jamesmyers3/videos/10153518679500041/" \t "_blank" https://www.facebook.com/jamesmyers3/videos/10153518679500041/
September 2015
Video made of my talk
Kidney Disease: The Unappreciated Disease
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2015/03/" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2015/03/
March 2015
Blog I wrote concerning how serious kidney disease is and how little the public really knows about it.
DO THE NEW UNOS KIDNEY ALLOCATION STANDARDS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE MATURE KIDNEY PAITENT?
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/
December 2014
Blog that I wrote that the new UNOS Standards for Organ Donation made it more difficult for the middle aged to elderly person to obtain a transplanted organ as opposed to a younger patient.
HONORING MY FATHER ON PKD AWARENESS DAY
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/09/" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/09/
September 2014
Article about the impact of Polycystic Kidney Disease on my life and in my family. Published by PKDF.org. For PKD Awareness Day.
New Medicare Rule for Dialysis Facilities Brings Changes to “Pay for Performance” Formula
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/07/" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2014/07/
July 2014
Article later published online that I wrote for class at Keller Graduate School.
Video: Why I became a Kidney Advocate
HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsXkamSqaeI" \t "_blank" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsXkamSqaeI
April 2014
Video I did for the Dialysis Patient Citizens that appeared on their site, The Kidney Cares Website and the NPR network. I discuss why I became a kidney advocate.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Early detection is important for chronic kidney disease
HYPERLINK "http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/guest-commentary/guest-commentary-early-detection-is-important-for-chronic-kidney-disease/article_dc5e4853-7f39-5c98-82b0-3bbafc4bbd35.html" \l ".UsYSSYYjpd0.blogger" \t "_blank" http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/guest-commentary/guest-commentary-early-detection-is-important-for-chronic-kidney-disease/article_dc5e4853-7f39-5c98-82b0-3bbafc4bbd35.html#.UsYSSYYjpd0.blogger
December 2013
Commentary about the benefits of early detection and treatment of kidney disease and how that has made a difference in my life

Blog: THE CASE FOR MORE TESTING OF PERSONS WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OR HISTORY FOR CKD
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/12/kidney-stories-case-for-kidney-testing.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/12/kidney-stories-case-for-kidney-testing.html
December 2014
A Blog that describes the benefits of early testing for kidney disease, especially where there is a family history of kidney disease.
Jerry Davich: Dialysis patients drained by proposed budget cut
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/08/kidney-stories-my-interview-on-cms-cuts.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/08/kidney-stories-my-interview-on-cms-cuts.html
August 2013
MY INTERVIEW ON CMS CUTS TO DIALYSIS PATIENTS     Article that Jerry Davich wrote about me protesting the CMS cuts to Medicare Dialysis Patients:http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/davich/21770756-452/jerry-davich-dialysis-patients-drained-by-proposed-budget-cut.html
Blog: DO THE NEW CUTS AFFECT HOME DIALYSIS?
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories-do-new-cuts-affect-home.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories-do-new-cuts-affect-home.html
July 2013
A blog that stated that the proposed CMS cuts to Medicare for dialysis centers and dialysis patients not only affected in-center patients, but also at hemo and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Blog: Dinner with my Son and CMS cuts to dialysis centers
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories-dinner-with-my-son-and.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories-dinner-with-my-son-and.html
July 2013
Sharing with others how to object to the cuts and remarking that I’d like to continue to have dinner with my son every once in a while.
Blog: DOES THE IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUG BILL CONFLICT WITH THE RECENT BACKLASH AGAINST THE CMS DECISION TO CUT FUNDING TO DIALYSIS PATIENTS
HYPERLINK "http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories.html" \t "_blank" http://kidneystoriesonblogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/kidney-stories.html
July 2013
Do the proposed cuts by CMS to dialysis affect funding for immunosuppressive drugs?


AWARDS: 2019 AAKP National Patient Committee Award
2019 National Kidney Foundation-Advocate of the Year Award
March 2019
2014 Robert Fowler Award for Kidney Advocacy
August 2014
Winner of the Robert Fowler Award for Kidney Advocacy from the Renal Network;

2012-Present Winner of Multiple Awards from the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana
March 2012
Winner of multiple awards for Advocacy, Speaking at Kidney Walks and other events in Merrillvillle, IN and Indianapolis, IN from 2012-Present. I am a member of an elite group of advocates, The Kidney Advocacy Committee. I am also a Regional Leader over the States of OH, MI, IN, KY & TN.


2015 American Association of Kidney Patients Social Media Advocacy Award
August 2015
Winner of the very first Social Media Advocacy Award from the American Association of Kidney Patients.

RECENT EVENTS
2018 NKF SUMMIT IN WDC, mARCH 5-6

2018 AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND EDUCATION & ADVOCACY DAYS, MARCH 6-8
2018 AAKP NATIONAL PATIENT MEETING JUNE 8TH-10TH, SPEAKER

2018 PKD CONNECT CONFERENCE, KANSAS CITY, JUNE 29TH-jULY 1ST

2018 MEETING WITH CARE DX IN SAN FRANCISCO, AUGUST 29, 2018, SPEAKER

2018 AAKP ADVOCACY DAYS, sEPTEMBER 26-27, 2018, WDC

2018 AAKP POLICY SUMMIT, SEPTEMBER 28TH -29, WDC

BILL MURRAY WILMINGTON KIDNEY WALK, October 28th

AAKP/ASN KIDNEY WEEK IN SAN DIEGO, ca, OCTOBER 25-27, 2018.

AAKP/ASN KIDNEY HEALTH ADVOCACY DAY ON THE HILL IN WDC ON MARCH 20TH, 2019

NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF INDIANA KIDNEY WALK ON APRIL 6, 2019 AT THE SOUTHLAKE MALL, SPEAKER.

NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION’S sUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, dc FROM MAY 4-6, 2019, INCLUDING EDUCATION DAYS AND A DAY ON THE HILL VISITS. wINNER OF THE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR.

HHS KIDNEY ANNOUNCEMENT AND EXECUTIVE ORDER BY SECRETARY AZAR AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ON ADVANCING AMERICA’S KIDNEY HEALTH INITIATIVE, IN WASHINGTON, d.c, ON JULY 10, 2019. WITH THE AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND;

2019 GLOBAL INNOVATIONS IN-PATIENT CENTERED KIDNEY CARE CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, d.c., ON mAY 21ST-23RD, 2019 ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF KIDNEY PATIENTS;


2019 PKD FOUNDATION’S CHILD CONFEREENCE IN CHICAGO, IL., 0N MAY 3-5, 2019. ATTENDED CONFERENCE AT THE REQUEST OF THE PKD FOUNDATION AND MANNED A TABLE FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF KIDNEY PATIENTS;

2019 (AUGUST 26-27) CDMRP (CONGRESS DIRECTED MEDICAL REVIEW PROGRAM PEER REVIEW) FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

2019 AAKP NATIONAL PATIENT MEETING, SPEAKER, “Building Relationships with Elected Officials,” and “Raise Your Voice: The Power Of Social Media And Grass Roots Tactics”