National Kidney Foundation of Arizona

Mary is a 21 year old suffered kidney failure right after high school graduation. While looking forward to life in the college dorm, she soon found out that she would be spending more time in a dialysis unit. Mary’s new “roommates” were occasionally others her age but many more were older.

Mary applied for the Peter and Bruce Bidstrup Memorial Scholarship through the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona's Patient Services Department. She had saved money for her college books and supplies but had not figured on medication and trips to dialysis as well as her doctor visits.

Raul is a 38 year old construction worker on dialysis. His work hours were cut because of the economy and drop in the housing market and he is bringing in less money to support himself. He lost his medical insurance and although he enrolled in Medicare, he can’t enroll in Medicare Part D until January of next year. His medications have now become a financial burden as well.