The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance, shaped by patients for patients carers everyone .

Listen to what our panel has to say

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Dealing with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease can feel like a lot. We get it. We’ve been there. Here at the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance, you can find support from others who have been there too.

Listen to our stories

02:49

Kostas Tagkalos

9 April 2025

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08:00

Wayne Sandvik

9 April 2025

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08:13

Mateja Malnar Štembal

5 March 2025

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03:37

Angel Prince

26 February 2025

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Meet our panel

Marc Bains

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife Foundation
Canada
>>

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Marc Bains

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife Foundation
View my story

Uroš Bogdanović

Type 1 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Serbia
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0124-1 | May 2025

Uroš Bogdanović

Type 1 diabetes advocate, IDF Europe
View my story

Paul Conway

Kidney disease advocate, American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
USA
>>

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Paul Conway

Kidney disease advocate, AAKP
View my story

Patrick Gee

Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease advocate
USA
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0125-2 | May 2025

Patrick Gee

Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease advocate
View my story

Bell Maddux

Kidney disease advocate, National Kidney Federation (NKF)
USA
>>

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Bell Maddux

Kidney disease advocate, NKF
View my story

Pesh Patel

Kidney disease advocate, National Kidney Federation (NKF)
USA
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0128-2 | May 2025

Pesh Patel

Kidney disease advocate, NKF
View my story

Adriana Plevniak

Type 1 diabetes advocate, Breakthrough T1D
USA
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0131-1 | May 2025

Adriana Plevniak

Type 1 diabetes advocate, Breakthrough T1D
View my story

Angel Prince

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease advocate, WomenHeart
USA
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0133-2 | May 2025

Angel Prince

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease advocate, WomenHeart
View my story

Wayne Sandvik

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife Foundation
Canada
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0130-2 | May 2025

Wayne Sandvik

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife
View my story

Bob Sheridan

Heart disease advocate, Mended Hearts
USA
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0126-2 | May 2025

Bob Sheridan

Heart disease advocate, Mended Hearts
View my story

Mateja Malnar Štembal

Type 2 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Slovenia
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0132-2 | May 2025

Mateja Malnar Štembal

Type 2 diabetes advocate, IDF Europe
View my story

Kostas Tagkalos

Type 2 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Greece
>>

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0127-2 | May 2025

Kostas Tagkalos

Type 2 diabetes advocate, IDF Europe
View my story

Marc Bains

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife Foundation
Canada
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0122-2 | May 2025

Uroš Bogdanović

Type 1 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Serbia
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0124-1 | May 2025

Paul Conway

Kidney disease advocate, American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0123-1 | May 2025

Patrick Gee

Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease advocate
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0125-2 | May 2025

Bell Maddux

Kidney disease advocate, National Kidney Federation (NKF)
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0129-2 | May 2025

Pesh Patel

Kidney disease advocate, National Kidney Federation (NKF)
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0128-2 | May 2025

Adriana Plevniak

Type 1 diabetes advocate, Breakthrough T1D
USA
View my story
MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0131-1 | May 2025

Angel Prince

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease advocate, WomenHeart
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0133-2 | May 2025

Wayne Sandvik

Heart disease advocate, HeartLife Foundation
Canada

View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0130-2 | May 2025

Bob Sheridan

Heart disease advocate, Mended Hearts
USA
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0126-2 | May 2025

Mateja Malnar Štembal

Type 2 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Slovenia

View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0132-2 | May 2025

Kostas Tagkalos

Type 2 diabetes advocate, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe
Greece
View my story

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0127-2 | May 2025

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Our lived experiences

06:51

Navigating healthcare systems: How I interact with healthcare providers throughout my journey

Bell Maddux

8 April 2025

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07:37

What I wish others could know

Patrick Gee

8 April 2025

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01:58

What made you want to get involved with the Heart and Kidney Care Alliance?

Uroš Bogdanović

8 April 2025

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01:53

What the future holds for kidney medicine

Paul Conway

8 April 2025

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06:51

Navigating healthcare systems: How I interact with healthcare providers throughout my journey

Bell Maddux

8 April 2025

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0146-1 | May 2025

07:37

What I wish others could know

Patrick Gee

8 April 2025

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0147-1 | May 2025

01:58

What made you want to get involved with the Heart and Kidney Care Alliance?

Uroš Bogdanović

8 April 2025

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0148-1 | May 2025

01:53

What the future holds for kidney medicine

Paul Conway

8 April 2025

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Resources

Access resources by our trusted partner organizations that will help you navigate your condition

A patient’s journey through heart failure

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HeartLife.Academy – a learning platform designed for those living with and caring for people with heart disease

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Chronic kidney disease – common causes and treatment options

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Enrolling in clinical trials

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An overview of access to diabetes care in Europe

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Building better dialogues: A guide to confident and effective conversations with your care team

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Are you the 33%?

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GET SUPPORT

Navigating lifelong conditions can be overwhelming

If you need support in living with your condition, are looking for educational resources to help you understand more, or want to get involved in research, engagement and advocacy, take a look at our partner organizations by clicking on their logos below.

More information >>

More information >>

More information >>

More information >>

More information >>

More information >>

More information >>

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Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is funded by Bayer AG. Copyright © 2025 Bayer AG. heartandkidneycare.com domain is organised and funded by Bayer AG.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any health concerns or questions, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

As with all medications, side effects should be reported. For Bayer medications, adverse events can be reported via the QR code below or here: http://www.bayer.com/en/health/report-side-effect.

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Healthcare professionals

What is the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance?

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is a collaborative panel of inspiring people from around the globe who are living with lifelong conditions. Drawing from their personal experiences living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, the panel offers support to others on similar journeys. The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is organized and funded by Bayer AG.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance was created by people living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, to share their experiences and the challenges they may encounter on their disease journey. The Alliance aims to connect individuals looking for support and information with helpful resources, including videos of patient advocates and trusted resources from leading patient organizations.

Our mission is to empower and educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to meet the needs of those living with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. We aim to build a community where people can learn how these conditions are connected, share their stories, and find support with their health journeys.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is made up of a diverse, global group of patient advocates representing diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease organizations. Each member brings firsthand, personal experience of living with a lifelong condition, along with valuable insights into navigating healthcare systems. This collective, unique perspective allows the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance to provide patient-centered support to those who may be on similar journeys.

No, we only share personal experiences and recommend that people always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice. However, many people find our shared journeys helpful for preparing for appointments, understanding options, and asking their healthcare providers better questions.

The panel shares their experiences on a variety of topics including:
  • Managing multiple conditions related to the heart and kidneys, and diabetes
  • Dealing with the management and day-to-day impacts of our chronic conditions
  • Building a support network
  • Finding hope and purpose after diagnosis

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Caregivers

What is the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance?

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is a collaborative panel of inspiring people from around the globe who are living with lifelong conditions. Drawing from their personal experiences living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, the panel offers support to others on similar journeys. The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is organized and funded by Bayer AG.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance was created by people living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, to share their experiences and the challenges they may encounter on their disease journey. The Alliance aims to connect individuals looking for support and information with helpful resources, including videos of patient advocates and trusted resources from leading patient organizations.

Our mission is to empower and educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to meet the needs of those living with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. We aim to build a community where people can learn how these conditions are connected, share their stories, and find support with their health journeys.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is made up of a diverse, global group of patient advocates representing diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease organizations. Each member brings firsthand, personal experience of living with a lifelong condition, along with valuable insights into navigating healthcare systems. This collective, unique perspective allows the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance to provide patient-centered support to those who may be on similar journeys.

Learning more about the condition from patient advocates can help you feel more confident and better equipped to manage it. We’ve created this website to help you find insights from patients on managing diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease and how to have effective conversations with healthcare providers. In the “Get support” section, you’ll find links to patient organization websites where you can learn more about these conditions and how you can get involved.

Hear our patient advocates and panel members discuss their personal stories and what they wish they knew before they were diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease – and what they want you to know, whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional.

No, we only share personal experiences and recommend that you and the person you care for always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice. However, many people and their caregivers find our shared journeys helpful for preparing for appointments, understanding options, and asking healthcare providers better questions.

The panel shares their experiences on a variety of topics including:
  • Managing multiple conditions related to the heart and kidneys, and diabetes
  • Dealing with the management and day-to-day impacts of our chronic conditions
  • Building a support network
  • Finding hope and purpose after diagnosis
Diseases of the heart and kidneys, and diabetes share common causes and mechanisms. Problems in one area may affect the others. That’s why it’s important to treat them together (Usman MS, et al. 2021). Our hope is that we can help you understand this better by sharing the first-hand experiences of people who understand these connections personally.

Usman MS, et al. Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Arlington (VA): American Diabetes Association 2021

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0156-2 | May 2025

Patients

What is the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance?

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is a collaborative panel of inspiring people from around the globe who are living with lifelong conditions. Drawing from their personal experiences living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, the panel offers support to others on similar journeys. The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is organized and funded by Bayer AG.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance was created by people living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, to share their experiences and the challenges they may encounter on their disease journey. The Alliance aims to connect individuals looking for support and information with helpful resources, including videos of patient advocates and trusted resources from leading patient organizations.

Our mission is to empower and educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to meet the needs of those living with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. We aim to build a community where people can learn how these conditions are connected, share their stories, and find support with their health journeys.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance is made up of a diverse, global group of patient advocates representing diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease organizations. Each member brings firsthand, personal experience of living with a lifelong condition, along with valuable insights into navigating healthcare systems. This collective, unique perspective allows the Heart & Kidney Care Alliance to provide patient-centered support to those who may be on similar journeys.

The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance – made up entirely by people living with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease – can offer you valuable insights from people who have been in your shoes. Our real-world experiences managing lifelong conditions and dealing with healthcare providers might help you feel more informed and confident in your own journey. To hear our personal stories, check out the “What I Wish I Knew” section.

Additionally, as active advocates working with top patient organizations around the world, we can guide you to trusted resources and support networks – please check out the “Resources” and “Get support” sections.

You’re in the right place to learn from people who have been in your shoes. Start by watching our “What I wish I knew” series to hear helpful insights from our patient advocates. Then, check out the “Resources” and “Get support” sections for links to our partner organizations’ websites, where you can learn more about your condition and find support. Feel free to share this website with your loved ones, caregivers, or healthcare professionals to help them support you better.

Hear our patient advocates and panel members discuss their personal stories and what they wish they knew before they were diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease – and what they want you to know, whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional.

We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to [email protected] to learn about our current initiatives and how you could get involved.

No, we only share personal experiences and recommend that you always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice. However, many people find our shared journeys helpful for preparing for appointments, understanding options, and asking their healthcare providers better questions.

The panel shares their experiences on a variety of topics including:
  • Managing multiple conditions related to the heart and kidneys, and diabetes
  • Dealing with the management and day-to-day impacts of our chronic conditions
  • Building a support network
  • Finding hope and purpose after diagnosis

Diseases of the heart and kidneys, and diabetes share common causes and mechanisms. Problems in one area may affect the others. That’s why it’s important to treat them together (Usman MS, et al. 2021). Our hope is that we can help you understand this better by sharing the first-hand experiences of people who understand these connections personally.

Usman MS, et al. Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Arlington (VA): American Diabetes Association 2021

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0155-2 | May 2025

GET SUPPORT

Navigating lifelong conditions can be overwhelming

If you need support in living with your condition, are looking for educational resources to help you understand more, or want to get involved in research, engagement and advocacy, take a look at our partner organizations.

MA-UN-CAR-ALL-0209-1 | May 2025