Antonio Richardson

Antonio Richardson lived on hemodialysis that was performed three times weekly in an outpatient dialysis facility. This lasted for 7 years from 2004 to 2011. With no formal medical background and suddenly diagnosed with kidney failure, he was able to gradually learn how to play an active role in his hemodialysis treatments. He learned from his own experiences and working with his dialysis technician, nurse and kidney doctor, tailored his treatments to the limits of his body.

In 2011 Antonio received a kidney transplant. He currently volunteers regularly to provide 1-2 hour talks on the lessons he learned while on hemodialysis and through the kidney transplant process. These talks are given at various hospitals as part of Aloha Kidney, a statewide nephrologist-led Kidney Disease Education program in Hawai‘i. It is his wish to help others with chronic kidney disease who may choose hemodialysis as a life prolonging process so they may minimize risk and maximize the quality of their lives through sharing knowledge.