Julie Crandall

I was diagnosed with End-stage Renal Disease at age seven.  My dialysis journey began at the age of eight.   Since then I have been on both Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis and have received three kidney transplants. After almost 14 years on my third transplant, I returned to hemodialysis and continue to receive treatment three times a week.

 

During my time on hemodialysis, I attended and graduated college with a degree in Business Administration.  I also continued to work full-time post college as a technical support agent. I became active in my community theater, where I was cast in every production during my time with the Prairie Players theater company, where I also served on the Board of Directors. In addition to my degree in Business Administration, I have also received an AAS in Medical Billing and Coding in order to be a credentialed Certified Medical Billing Specialist. 

 

In addition to volunteering with the Washington County Republican Party and being actively engaged in my church, I have spent time volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation of Colorado, Montana and Wyoming (NKFCMW) and organized the first Northern Colorado Kidney Walk and Patient Picnic which received media attention in both Denver and my hometown.

 

I think at a young age, I decided not to let kidney disease dictate how I lived my life. I had goals I wanted to accomplish. Although I had to adjust my dreams a little bit, I still found a way to make them come true.  

 

I have not let kidney disease define who I am.  I have been able to fulfill dreams I never thought possible because of my commitment to learning about the disease and the wonderful support I’ve received from my family and friends. I want to do my best to help other kidney patients live as normal lives as possible and I strive to be someone other patients or their families can turn to with questions, ideas or concerns. 

 

With my membership on the Board of Directors for Dialysis Patient Citizens I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with my peers, who are as passionate as I am, to make a difference in the lives of so many.