By Jessica Singleton
Adrian Allen has been on kidney dialysis for almost 12 years, but if you ask him what keeps him going, he’ll tell you it’s his family, his determination, and one very special social worker – Amy Postel. As a patient at Northwest Kidney Centers, a nonprofit dedicated to serving everyone in need of dialysis care, Allen has received not just medical treatment but also life-changing support.
“I love Northwest Kidney Centers. The nurses are great, and they look out for us,” Allen said. “But Amy? Amy has been everything to me. She has been the pilot to my plane.”
March is both National Social Work Month and National Kidney Month, a time to recognize those who dedicate their careers to helping others and to raise awareness about kidney disease, which affects millions of Americans. The disease disproportionately impacts African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, as well as those with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, or a family history of kidney issues. Because kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages, many people – like Allen – don’t realize they have it until it has advanced. Once someone has kidney failure, their only options for survival are regular dialysis treatments to clean one’s blood of waste and water, or a kidney transplant. Navigating these options can be overwhelming.
At Northwest Kidney Centers, social workers like Postel do far more than just offer emotional support – they help patients like Allen tackle the practical barriers that stand between them and better health.
Postel first met Allen four years ago at Northwest Kidney Centers’ Burien clinic. He was in the process of being evaluated for a kidney transplant but had hit a roadblock – he needed dental work before he could move forward, and the cost was too much to handle alone. On top of that, Allen was hesitant about the surgery itself. Postel helped him navigate financial assistance programs and connected him with other transplant recipients to ease his fears. “He was really worried about the risks,” Postel recalled. “So I just stayed with him on the journey, helping where I could and waiting until he was ready.”
Then, two years ago, Allen’s world changed. His mother, who had lived with him and been one of his biggest supporters, passed away. Not only was he grieving, but he also suddenly had to figure out how to afford rent. Postel stepped in and helped secure affordable housing for Allen and his family.
“We worked through all the paperwork, applied for different programs, and after a long process, he was able to move into a brand-new building in West Seattle,” Postel said. “That was a huge turning point.”
With housing stability came a new sense of hope. Allen started exercising more and seriously reconsidered the idea of a transplant. “Amy was really on me about it,” he admitted with a laugh. “At first, I was scared, but after everything I’ve been through, I said, ‘You know what? I think I’m ready for this.’”
Now, Allen has officially been added to the transplant waitlist, a milestone that marks the end of an extensive and lengthy evaluation process. After completing a series of medical tests, dental work, and countless appointments, he’s now one step closer to receiving a new kidney – something that would change his life in ways he can hardly imagine. “If I get a transplant, I can spend more time with my grandbabies, my kids,” he said. “I can just live my best life.”
For Postel, Allen’s journey is a testament to the power of long-term support. “Social work is slow, steady work. You build trust, you meet people where they are, and when they’re ready, you help them move forward,” she said. “It’s been incredible to see Adrian go from being hesitant to embracing the future.”
With Postel in his corner and a renewed sense of determination, Allen is ready for whatever comes next. “She’s the best social worker I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “She’s not just doing a job; she actually cares.”
As we celebrate National Social Work Month, it’s clear that the impact of social workers like Postel goes far beyond paperwork and appointments. They help people find hope, even in the hardest of times – and that can make all the difference.
National Kidney Month is a great time to focus on health and learn about kidney disease, which oftentimes can be prevented and controlled. Here are some tips:
- Follow prescribed treatments to control diabetes and/or high blood pressure, the biggest causes of kidney disease.
- Lose extra weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Don’t overuse over-the-counter pain medicines.
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat more fresh food to avoid the damaging salt that preserves our processed food.
- Know your family health history.
- Ask your doctor to test you for kidney disease if you are at risk—take a quiz to find out at
For more information, go to nwkidney.org.
[Jessica Singleton is Marketing and Communications Manager with Northwest Kidney Centers. Reach her Jessica.Singleton@nwkidney.org.]
Source: Seattle Medium
