In 2010, to celebrate my tenth year of a wonderful life on dialysis I sort of got in shape and canoed 225 miles with the Grand River Expedition 2010. It was an incredible journey that couldn't have happened without my family and many dear friends.

I have been on dialysis since 2001 and have used every form of dialysis currently available in search of the best outcome and the best life. I have done in-center hemodialysis, at home hemodialysis with a traditional dialysis machine, peritoneal dialysis and finally, NxStage's System One home hemodialysis machine. I have had two kidney transplants, one from my beautiful wife and another because a thoughtful motorcyclist had checked the donate organs line on his license. For me, the technology for a successful transplant does not exist for my disease. I remain open and optimistic about wearable and implantable artificial kidneys.

Since I started my first blog, Tasty Kidney Pie, in 2001, I have tried to, and hope to continue to, inspire dialysis patients and others living with chronic illnesses to get outdoors and live an active and fruitful life.

Since 2001, The Riverdudes, my National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Walk Team has raised $78,000.

I currently spend my time writing, raising my children, snuggling with my wife, getting outside and staying active, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.

Thank you

With your help we can exceed this year's goal of $5,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Thank you very much for your continued support. Erich



Thursday, April 21, 2011

Please help me raise $5,000 to help beat Kidney Disease



Dear Friend:

Last year was a hoot and together we raised $17,000 as we walked and then paddled the length of the Grand River.  It was an incredible journey both in raising the amount that we did and in getting the word out that life begins a new on dialysis and that one can be active despite one's chronic illness.  Thank you for all the support last year.

This year we have a new goal of $5,000.  With our support to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan we will be helping the organization reach out to everyone in Michigan, including our friends and families, about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, both if out of control can lead to the loss of one's kidneys.  And let me tell you, while everyday I try to live a great life with the help of dialysis, it would be a whole lot easier if I didn't have to do it.

I want to share a short story from my blog http://paddlingondialysisforkidneyhealth.blogspot.com/


My daughter and I are driving and she notices a couple of children running on the sidewalk and turns to me and says, "I wish you weren't fat.  I wish your were skinny."

 I take a Twix like pause to give my good daddy side of my brain time to kick start and them timidly ask, "Why?"

"Because then we could run together," she innocently responds.  

Apparently all the physical benefits of my 235 mile canoe odyssey last year have disappeared.  This year's goal will be to run with my daughter.  

There are three ways that you can get involved:

1. Make a donation through this secure website right now. http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Michigan?px=1006841&pg=personal&fr_id=3391

2. Join The Riverdudes and The Hubbard Law Firm Walk Team and collect funds to help us reach our goal. We will be walking down town starting at Cooley Law School Stadium (an no they don't fight attorney gladiators there) on Sunday, June 12. Let me know and I will happily sign you up or you can sign up on the Team Webpage http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Michigan?team_id=85711&pg=team&fr_id=3391

3. Become a virtual member of my crew.  Join the Walk Team but because of timing or distance, just help raise money.  If you can't walk with us, you can still be a part of the Team.  Use the Team Page link above.

The money you donate to NKFM is used for research into cures and better treatments, sending kids on dialysis and with transplants to camp, making medicines more affordable to patients, and educating at risk populations about how to reduce their risk to kidney disease.

Please donate $100, $50, or what you can to day. If you would rather, you can send a check made out to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and mail it to me at:

Erich Ditschman

Together we can help many others through supporting the NKFM.
Dialyze for the Prize!  And, have a wonderful day.
Erich 




Posted by at 1 comment:

"I wish you weren't fat."

My daughter and I are driving and she notices a couple of children running on the sidewalk and turns to me and says, "I wish you weren't fat.  I wish your were skinny."

I take a Twix like pause to give my good daddy side of my brain time to kick start and them timidly ask, "Why?"

"Because then we can run together," she innocently responds.  

Apparently all the physical benefits of my 235 mile canoe odyssey last year have disappeared.  This year's goal will be to run with my daughter.  

After I told this story to Andria, she mentioned that I could have said, "At least I'm not dead."  

To which I responded, "Honey, I don't live in a world of attorneys.  I have to assume innocence first and anyways, sarcasm only works with Jacob."
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