In honor of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day, The Chronic Brew is proud to present a conversation that defines the very heart of kidney advocacy. While the world turns its attention to the statistics of CKD this March, we are zooming in on the human spirit with our guest, LaVise McCray.

LaVise is a retired Special Education teacher and Sociology scholar who navigated a staggering 7.5-year marathon on dialysis. Her journey is a testament to the "long game" of kidney health. In this intimate "coffee table" session, she shares the raw reality of navigating the dialysis chair while grieving the loss of her husband three years prior to receiving her life-saving transplant in March 2023.

In this special Kidney Month feature, we discuss:

• Advocacy in Action: How LaVise uses her background in Psychology and Sociology to change the patient experience.

• The Power of Compliance: Finding the "inner grit" to stay on track during a 7.5-year wait.

• Grief and the Kidney Warrior: Navigating a health crisis after the passing of a spouse.

• Breaking the Silence on CBS: Bringing vital awareness to Charles Bonnet Syndrome (visual hallucinations) and its impact on those with vision loss.

• The Global Mission: Why LaVise’s work with the NJ Sharing Network and KidneyLyfe is essential for the future of transplant equity.

Whether you are listening during our March awareness events or discovering this years later, LaVise’s message is universal: Even when things feel impossible, hope is a practice.

Connect with our Guest:

• Mentor/Community Work: NJ Sharing Network, Quality Insights, & Lyfebulb.

• Follow LaVise: Instagram: @LDYBUG97 Facebook: @LaVise Ldybug McCray LinkedIn: @LaVise McCray

Celebrate National Kidney Month with us: If LaVise’s story inspired you, please help us spread awareness. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share this episode to help a fellow kidney warrior find their voice.

#WorldKidneyDay #NationalKidneyMonth #KidneyTransplant #DialysisWarrior #TheChronicBrew #OrganDonation #CKDAdvocacy #CharlesBonnetSyndrome #KidneyAction