On July 21, 2017, Timmy Nelson was fortunate to undergo a life-altering major surgery. After three-and-a-half years of home-based, self-administered peritoneal dialysis (PD), he became the recipient of a fully functioning kidney.

Mr. Nelson’s hometown is in Michigan, where he completed high school and began his post high school studies, culminating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources. This is also where he began his 38-year career with UPS.

Mr. Nelson was diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in January of 2013 and started peritoneal dialysis in December of that year. This modality of treatment enabled him to continue his frequent business air travel and remain effective in performing his assigned duties.

He developed a PD Patient Support Group at his treating dialysis facility, which was the beginning of his ESRD outreach. The focus of this West Chester–based group was lessening and addressing the concerns of patients, caregivers, and prospective PD patients.

Post retirement, Mr. Nelson developed a working relationship with Quality Insights Renal Network 4. He attends the monthly quality improvement conference calls and is a member of the Network 4 Medical Review Board (MRB). Post-transplant, he traveled to dialysis facilities within the Network 4 geographic territory to meet with dialysis patients to discuss possible transition to dialysis home treatment modalities and preparation to become a viable candidate for a kidney transplant.